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PHOENIX — A Mesa man will stand trial in September on charges that he started the nearly 18,000-acre Sunflower Fire in the Tonto National Forest after he fired a shotgun loaded with a flame-throwing shell.

Steven Craig Shiflet made his initial appearance in federal court Friday. He faces three charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted.

The Arizona Republic reports that Shiflet and his family declined to comment after the hearing.

Shiflet was target shooting with a group of friends in May when he pointed the shotgun at a soda box in a cleared area. Smoke soon appeared in the brush, and the group couldn't extinguish the blaze.

Shiflet told investigators he called 911 to report the fire and was told to leave the area.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

Associated Press,

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  • Abuse
    Larry in Glendale wrote...
    I'm not condoning what he did
    July 15, 2012 9:18 am
    But if one shotgun shell can set off a fire that big then something else is wrong too.
  • Abuse
    Amishwmn wrote...
    its called DRAGONS BREATH
    July 15, 2012 3:12 pm
    and it is NOT suppose to be used in a dry drought area..It did have a fire hazard warning on the box some come with rubber balls inside some come with chains inside there are multiple novelty shotgun shells , this man can put on a nice suit and look like hes city smart, but as a person who is shooting any kind of ammo, you have to be smarter then the box of ammo your holding in your hands..I am married to a man who shoots reloads , no we would not shoot anything like that..in Az we wear our common sense hat every day LOL..this man did not..brain fart..duh?
    Tribute to None...Let Rome Burn...
  • Abuse
    Amishwmn wrote...
    just the facts
    July 15, 2012 3:15 pm
    A dragon's breath usually refers to a zirconium-based pyrotechnic shotgun round. When the round is fired, sparks and flames shoot out to about 15 m (48 feet) away from the gun.[1] While its tactical uses are very limited, the visual effect it produces is impressive, similar to that of a short-ranged flamethrower. The rounds are often used as a distress signal, similar to an emergency flare gun. They can also be used as means of intimidation to the opposing forces.
    Tribute to None...Let Rome Burn...
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