The rights-of-way of all railroads which are operated through forests shall be prescribed burned by the railroad during the fall and winter months and kept cleared of all obsolete ties or other flammable material. The department shall notify the owner of such property that failure to comply will result in the property being declared a public nuisance which by reason of its condition or operation is a special forest fire hazard and as such endangers other property or human life. The department shall notify the owner of such property or the person responsible for the condition or operation thereof, that it has been declared a public nuisance and order him to abate it.
N.J.S. § 13:9-44.8