NSSF Reminds Shooters to Take Precautions Against Starting Wildfires

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Wildfires have many causes, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation is urging shooters and hunters to not be one of them. 

NSSF’s “Help Prevent Wildfires” infographic contains sobering facts about the scale and costs of wildfires, noting that 90 percent of all wildfires are human-caused — accounting for more than 60,000 per year. Wildfires threaten animal and human life and burn millions of acres land. Fighting wildfires is dangerous work, and the costs of suppressing wildfires is staggering — more than $2 billion in 2017. We often think of the largest, most destructive wildfires taking place in the arid landscapes of the West, but as the infographic points out, the southern and eastern parts of the United States have a large number of wildfires as well. 

NSSF reminds shooters and all outdoor recreationists to be mindful of their surroundings and actions to avoid being the cause of a wildfire. Precautions include: 

• Being aware of restrictions on shooting and other activities in fire-prone areas.

• Not using tracer rounds, exploding targets and ammunition that is steel-jacketed or contains steel core components.

• Knowing that a vehicle’s hot exhaust systems can ignite dry vegetation.

• Making sure all campfires are properly extinguished.

In addition to the new infographic, NSSF also makes available a 30-second audio public service announcement on wildfire prevention. “Planning to head outdoors today? The National Shooting Sports Foundation reminds you to check the fire danger levels in your area . . . and to take precautions,” says the PSA. NSSF asks shooting ranges, firearms retailers, target shooters and hunters to share this fire-prevention infographic with others in the outdoors community by displaying at shooting ranges, firearms retail shops and outdoor-equipment stores, as well as sharing on websites, blogs and social media sites. It is made available in an easy-to-print 8.5 by 11 format.