Firearms starting forest fires - Page 4

SgtLumpy · June 25, 2013, 04:35 PM

Doesn't really matter where the fire is started, does it? Close to the shooter or downrange, a fire is a fire. They don't allow us to shoot fireball shooting instruments in the forests during the extreme dry season. That seems perfectly sensible to me.

Sgt Lumpy

alex0535 · June 26, 2013, 10:48 PM

Somehow I feel like the odds of a forest fire being started by a lit cigarette butt tossed carelessly out of the window of a car is a much more likely source of ignition for many of these fires.

I have witnessed roadside fires next to Utah highways during the summer.

One tossed out somewhere less accessible, that could not be handled as quickly would be enough to start a forest fire.

I think if we were to establish two square areas of flammable underbrush with firebreaks around each side of them. And we had a smoker or two tossing lit butts into one square and have someone shooting regular ammunition (non-tracer) into another square. I know which one I think would light up first.

Double Naught Spy · June 26, 2013, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Doesn't really matter where the fire is started, does it?

It does when you are talking about the actual cause.

SgtLumpy · June 27, 2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Somehow I feel like the odds of a forest fire being started by a lit cigarette butt tossed carelessly out of the window of a car is a much more likely source of ignition for many of these fires.

It is. And it's against the law.

More people are killed by drunk drivers than by guns. That doesn't mean we should make it legal to kill people with guns.

Sgt Lumpy

Glenn E. Meyer · June 27, 2013, 03:01 PM

Just for info, I have seen a fmj 9mm bounce off a large piece of steel holding a paper target and start sparks which ignited the paper target.

Bob Thompson · June 27, 2013, 04:53 PM

One last thought, and thanks to all who have contributed to this discussion.

If the danger of a high velocity bullet can cause a fire, why do all national forests and BLM lands in the nation readily admit thousands if not millions of hunters in the woods at some of the driest times of the year, the fall, especially before the snow flies?

It would seem, either it is not THAT much of a danger or the government wants to insure we at least maintain our rights to OUR public lands or risk far greater danger from disgruntled hunters and the public at large. Think about that a while.

45_auto · June 27, 2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgtlumpy

More people are killed by drunk drivers than by guns.

You really should do a little more research there so that you don't appear so uninformed.

If you're talking about the United States, there's about 3 times as many people killed with guns as there are by drunk drivers.

kilimanjaro · June 27, 2013, 07:38 PM

Generally, by fall hunting seasons, there has been some rain, increased fuel moisture, and night/morning humidity offering recovery. The bigger danger is the campfire left unattended.

Public land closures are kept small, they know who they work for.

SgtLumpy · June 27, 2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtlumpy
More people are killed by drunk drivers than by guns.
You really should do a little more research there so that you don't appear so uninformed.

If you're talking about the United States, there's about 3 times as many people killed with guns as there are by drunk drivers.

Well, I thought I found accurate stats.

2011 - Killed by drunk drivers, US - 10,228
2011 - Killed by guns, US - 8,583

So even if the stats are inaccurate, the point is, just because something ELSE is dangerous, doesn't make it ok to do something less dangerous.

Sgt Lumpy

June 27, 2013, 03:01 PM	#80
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,061	Just for info, I have seen a fmj 9mm bounce off a large piece of steel holding a paper target and start sparks which ignited the paper target. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

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June 25, 2013, 04:35 PM	#76
SgtLumpy Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2013 Posts: 779	Doesn't really matter where the fire is started, does it? Close to the shooter or downrange, a fire is a fire. They don't allow us to shoot fireball shooting instruments in the forests during the extreme dry season. That seems perfectly sensible to me. Sgt Lumpy

June 26, 2013, 10:48 PM	#77
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 908	Somehow I feel like the odds of a forest fire being started by a lit cigarette butt tossed carelessly out of the window of a car is a much more likely source of ignition for many of these fires. I have witnessed roadside fires next to Utah highways during the summer. One tossed out somewhere less accessible, that could not be handled as quickly would be enough to start a forest fire. I think if we were to establish two square areas of flammable underbrush with firebreaks around each side of them. And we had a smoker or two tossing lit butts into one square and have someone shooting regular ammunition (non-tracer) into another square. I know which one I think would light up first.

June 27, 2013, 04:53 PM	#81
Bob Thompson Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Location: riverdale,ut,usa Posts: 136	One last thought, and thanks to all who have contributed to this discussion. If the danger of a high velocity bullet can cause a fire, why do all national forests and BLM lands in the nation readily admit thousands if not millions of hunters in the woods at some of the driest times of the year, the fall, especially before the snow flies? It would seem, either it is not THAT much of a danger or the government wants to insure we at least maintain our rights to OUR public lands or risk far greater danger from disgruntled hunters and the public at large. Think about that a while.

June 27, 2013, 07:38 PM	#83
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Generally, by fall hunting seasons, there has been some rain, increased fuel moisture, and night/morning humidity offering recovery. The bigger danger is the campfire left unattended. Public land closures are kept small, they know who they work for.