Reminders for Target Shooters and Outdoor Enthusiasts to Help Prevent Wildfires
During dry and hot weather conditions, as the West is currently experiencing, wildfires are easily started and can quickly grow into blazes that damage land and property and threaten wildlife and human life. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reminds all who use the outdoors for recreation to consider the potential consequences of their activities in fire-prone environments and offers these reminders:
- Make it a point to know the regulations and rules related to shooting in areas experiencing dry and hot conditions, whether on public or private land or at shooting ranges. Many national forests, for example, do not allow recreational shooting when fire restrictions are in effect.
- Consider the type of ammunition and targets you are using. Minimize the risk of fires by not using steel-jacketed ammunition, ammunition with steel-core components, tracer rounds or exploding targets in fire-prone areas.
- Remember that equipment, such as cars and ATVs, can have extremely hot exhaust systems that could ignite dry vegetation, so park only in designated areas.
- Extinguish and dispose of smoking materials safely.
- Follow guidelines to extinguish campfires.
- Warn others of potential dangers and behaviors for starting wildfires.
- Report any wildfire you see.
- Spread this message using traditional and digital media.