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Rabbi Yochanan said: One is liable for the damage caused by his fire on account of it being “his arrows” (it is as if he shot out an arrow which caused damage). Rish Lakish, however, maintained that fire is regarded as “his property” (just as he is liable when he is negligent and his ox damages, so too, he is liable for the negligence regarding his fire).
The Gemora explains: Rish Lakish differed from Rabbi Yochanan, for he contends that one’s arrows emerge directly from human force, whereas fire does not emerge from human force (it spreads by itself). Rabbi Yochanan differs with Rish Lakish, for he may say that his property contains tangible substance, whereas fire has no tangible substance.
We explore the history of flaming arrows and the halachic implications of forest fires.