Target shooting banned in forests over fire concerns

PHOENIX — The monsoon season is here and the humidity is up but target shooting is off limits on the Tonto National Forest and many other locations across Arizona.
The concern is that target shooters could touch off a wildfire.

“Sparks from a steel-jacketed bullet or even friction can start grass or dry brush smoldering and then all it needs is a little wind and you’ve got a fire off and running,” said David Albo with the Tonto National Forest.

Some gun-rights advocates said restrictions on target shooting are an excuse to get shooters out of the forest.

“That’s not the case at all. We want to make people aware that it is possible to start wildfires with target shooting.”

Albo said an incendiary shotgun shell started the 16,000-acre Sunflower fire in May. During extreme fire danger there are documented cases of fires being started by sparks from golf clubs hitting rocks and in one case from a horseshoe that struck a rock.

The best way to find out where target shooting is allowed is by checking the Public Lands Information Center website.

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