Posted on 06/27/2012 5:04:40 AM PDT by marktwain
Authorities in Utah have suggested that recreational shooters have caused at least 19 fires in the Beehive State so far this year – a notion that has caused quite a discussion on a popular Northwest hiking forum – and the real fire season hasn’t even started.
Coincidentally, this assertion comes within days of a fire ignited near Belfair by a couple of shooters who somehow managed to hit, with an alleged ricochet, a cargo container filled with fireworks, as reported by Seattle’s KOMO, the ABC affiliate.
One can suppose that it just might be possible for a bullet glancing off of a rock with a high iron content might cause a spark, but it would be far more credible to learn that such fires, if they were started by shooters at all, were the handiwork of morons shooting at televisions, computers or half-empty propane canisters. One might assign some credibility to the supposition that one of these nimrods was foolish enough to go target shooting in a dry forest with tracer rounds.
Some suggest a far more likely scenario is that some shooter dropped a cigarette.
Nevertheless, some are doubtful of the state’s official findings. Clark Aposhian, chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council (USSC), isn’t ruling out shooting as causes for the fires, but pointed out that recreational activities like camping carry fire risks as well.—Salt Lake Tribune
A few weeks ago, this writer and a pal went hunting for spring turkeys over by Bethel Ridge in Yakima County and found where some idiots had shot up an old computer and an automobile battery and left their mess. There was no fire, however.
Some suggest a far more likely scenario is that some shooter dropped a cigarette.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
On the other hand, I've seen a number of fires started by numbskulls: carelessly tossed cigs, forgotten cook fires, fuelling a running ATV while drunk, you name it. But never by a firearm or a bullet.
Yeah I thought it was an odd claim. While its possible, its highly unlikely that a shooter will inadvertently start a fire.
I live near a shooting range and I’ve never seen it happen.
That said, when a bullet exits a barrel, it possesses a significant amount of energy. All of that energy is turned into heat before the bullet, and the things it hits, stop moving. If it travels a long distance though the air, it warms up a lot of air, and makes little heat when it lands. However, if it strikes something soon after exiting, it can make a considerable hot spot where it hits. It is conceivable, under the right conditions, that could make a fire.
Now how many rounds are fired every year vs number of fires started by them?
The trouble with proving this is that after the bullet starts the fire it is eaten by an eagle (that dies) and the evidence is gone.
Why anyone would want to screw up their own barrels with tracers is beyond me, but nobody ever went broke betting on human stupidity!
This sounds like an episode for Mythbusters!
Sorry MSM, this turd didn't stick to the wall.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=8646527
These people will try anything to take guns out of the hands of gunowners. What’s next? Guns are causing hailstorms or flooding. I’m sure they can make up something. These people may think they are booksmart, but have NO common sense.
“It is conceivable, under the right conditions, that could make a fire. “
LOL yeah right, if you believe the heat from a bullet passing through the air is a factor then I have a really nice bridge to sell you.
Under your theory people should burst into flames when they are shot. Heck what about all those paper targets out there. How many of those burst into flames
This is nothing but pseudo science being used as a lever to ban guns.
I thought it was the condors who were bullet hungry, please don’t tell me the eagles are doing it too!
The MSM and the Odumbo administration flaks (but I repeat myself) will be quick to blame recreation shooters, but neither will likely mention that Odumbo’s dumbos have drastically shrunk the size of the fleet of tanker aircraft available to fight wildfires: http://monkeywrenchingamerica.com/?p=1412
Hollywood is the only place that copper jacked lead bullets make sparks!
I was thinking Bugs Bunny myself. Or maybe Wyle E. Coyote.
Six pack of beer for anyone that can reproduce this and put the video up on YouTube.
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