Arson is the intentional burning of property—such as a building, car, boat, crops, or trees—with criminal or fraudulent intent. The criminal intent or motive behind arson is often insurance fraud—such as when the owner of property intentionally burns it and then files an insurance claim without disclosing the owner intentionally started the fire.

Arson is a felony offense under most state laws, but there are often different degrees of severity, depending on factors such as whether the fire results in physical injury or death. Arson is also a crime under federal law, which makes it illegal to use fire or an explosive to damage or destroy property used in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

In Alaska, arson is defined under the Alaska Statutes as the intentional damaging of property by starting a fire or causing an explosion. Alaska law categorizes arson into different degrees based on the severity of the act and its consequences. First-degree arson (AS 11.46.400) is the most serious and involves intentionally damaging a building by fire or explosion when the building is occupied, which can lead to significant prison time. Second-degree arson (AS 11.46.410) involves intentionally damaging any property by fire or explosion, and it is also a felony. The presence of factors such as whether the fire resulted in physical injury, death, or was set for fraudulent purposes, such as insurance fraud, can influence the severity of the charges and penalties. Additionally, federal law criminalizes arson when it involves property used in interstate or foreign commerce, or affects such commerce, which can lead to federal charges that carry their own set of penalties.