Time for reply to applicant by the Authorised Officer

If the authorised officer does not reply to the applicant within ten days of the receipt by him of the application mentioned in section 3 of this Act, subject to the provisions of any applicable fire protection plan under section 4 of the Forest Fire Protection Act and of any special area precautionary plan under section 21 of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Act, such applicant shall be at liberty to set fire on his land without incurring any liability or penalty under this Act.