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Big Jump In San Diego County Fires Caused By Target Shooting

Cal Fire Asks Target Shooters To Use Caution

Big Jump In San Diego County Fires Caused By Target Shooting
Cal Fire San Diego says there has been an increase in fires caused by target or recreational shooting across San Diego County.

Mike Mohler with Cal Fire said there have been 10 fires caused by target shooting this year and there were only two caused last year.

He is asking recreational target shooters to use caution.

"When you're out there you need to make sure this is an area that's cleared and you know what's behind your target," said Mohler. "And, the second thing is, you need to know what type of weather you're shooting in. If you are out in 100 degree weather with single digit humidity's, any piece of shrapnel that hits a receptive fuel bed, it is going to cause a fire."

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He suggested recreational target shooters try to use the cooler times of the day with higher humidity.

He said two types of similar rounds have been recovered at some of the locations.

Mohler said both are either steel-tipped or steel cored bullets which can cause fires when they strike rocks or come apart.