Public Land Shooting and High Fire Danger

[nrpate05]

Given the hot and dry summer we're having across the west and the fires that seem to pop up constantly, I'm curious on the attitude you all have for recreational shooting on public land. I have a spot about 15 minutes from my house where I can sight in my rifle and then shoot to about 450 yards. It's really convenient and beats going to the actual rifle range most of the time. Our local forest just entered stage one fire restrictions and it is really crispy up there. Do you guys shoot when conditions are like this? Are you worried of sparking up a new blaze? Is shooting a paper target better than steel? I get a little uneasy, but realize the chances of it happening are slim. Just looking for thoughts. Pray for rain!

 

[wytex]

I just Googled wildfires caused by shooting and pages popped up. Pretty sure one of the big fires in the Snowy Range was caused by shooters so yes I'd be concerned.

 

[TOGIE]

if it's crispy out it should definitely be something you're thinking about.

doesn't mean you can't go. just think about the locale your using. are you shooting at steel surrounded by dry grass and rocks? or just checking zero, like you are, with cardboard and paper into a dirt embankment.

common sense IMO.

i'd check to be sure, sometimes they can enact recreational shooting restrictions during stage 1. but usually it's a stage 2 thing afaik

 

[Jack Ryan]

I'd guess shooters smoking cigarettes are a bigger fire danger than bullets.

 

[Jnasa]

If conditions are this hot and dry I would avoid it. Can often still go but use sense. Possibly morning if there is dew or after a rain if there is one. I know Fish and Game shut down one local public land range due to fire danger.

Regarding steel or paper extreme caution should be used shooting steel. I would not be shooting steel in these conditions.

When I was a kid my dad and I were sighting in rifles at a public shooting range. A couple of idiots decided to start shooting off range at a steel plate on a hill. They started a fire that took off. Luckily a bunch of shooters and volunteers got it contained. Then the fire fighters were able to get it extinguished. Could have been a disaster for a bunch of Mule Deer habitat.

For me personally it's worth paying for a membership or the daily fee to shoot at a range in these conditions. I don't want to cause a fire.

 

[KG406]

From this mornings fire restrictions meeting for the Billings area, some graphics the DNRC is wanting to get shared with the public. Like everything else, common sense goes a long ways...