Cal Fire cautions public about target shooting

Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority has experienced a major increase of fires caused by recreational shooting across the county, reports Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler.

CAL FIRE/San Diego has had 10 fires caused by target shooting this year and only two in 2010.

There are two types of rounds that firefighters have recovered at the some of these locations: A Russian-made bullet with the caliber of 7.62 by 54R and the other a 5.56 by 45-caliber used in a M4 rifle. The similarity is that they are either steel-tipped or steel-cored bullets that can cause fires when they strike rocks or come apart, states a news release from Mohler.

If an individual or group causing a fire is found to be negligent, Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Authority will attempt to recover firefighting costs, said Mohler. Cal Fire estimates it cost $253,747 to fight five of the fires triggered by taget shooting.

The department asks the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in recreational target shooting. Survey the location for brush clearance and always look behind a potential target to see where the round may end up. It is important to always be aware of current weather conditions and to plan activities around cooler times of the day with higher humidities.

For more information, call 619-922-4528.