Any railroad company which, through act of its employees or agents, by sparks from its locomotives or otherwise, sets fire to trees, brush or grass on lands outside the right-of-way of such company, shall be liable to the state for the lawful expenses incurred by the State Forest Fire Warden in extinguishing such fire. The bill for any such fire shall be submitted by the warden or fire chief in charge to the State Forest Fire Warden. If approved by the State Forest Fire Warden, it shall be ordered paid by the State Comptroller. A statement of all such bills paid by the state during the previous six months shall be submitted on or before the tenth day of December and the tenth day of June in each year by the State Forest Fire Warden to the railroad company liable under the provisions of this section. Such statement shall be accompanied by copies of all bills on which the claim is based and shall be paid by such railroad company to the State Treasurer. Each section foreperson employed by a railroad company, upon the discovery of any fire in the section under the jurisdiction of the foreperson, for which such company is liable under the provisions of this section, shall summon necessary assistance, proceed to the fire and extinguish it, and shall give such assistance to state forest fire control personnel as may, from time to time, be requested by such personnel.