OPINION/STREETALK

Ready, aim, wildfire

On Feb. 1, the 69-acre Poeville wildfire was sparked in the Peavine foothills. A wildfire. In February. And with the worryingly early return of fire season comes the resurgence one of the stupidest and most dangerous opinions held by locals: Target shooting doesn’t spark wildfires.

This is patently untrue. Shooting can and does cause wildfires every single year in Nevada, and yet with every new report comes a chorus of online commentators decrying the “liberal media’s anti-gun agenda,” clamoring for the “science” of how a hot piece of metal could possibly cause a fire, or demanding a new shooting range so public land isn’t put at risk. (We agree with that last one.)

“Yet more anti-gun drivel. Someone got their Bloomberg check this week,” wrote a commentor on the Reno Gazette Journal’s Facebook post of the Peavine fire.

The naysayers seem to fall into three camps. Number one: “It’s scientifically impossible for a lead-core cartridge to cause a fire because it’s ignition point is too low.” A 2013 study by the U.S. Forest Service found that, while steel-core rounds led to higher instances of ignition, even softer lead fragments can smolder after striking resistant targets—sometimes taking several minutes before igniting dry vegetation. (The entire report can be read here: www.fs.fed.us/rm/ pubs/rmrs_rp104.pdf)

Number two: “I’ve been shooting for years, and I’ve never seen a fire started.” Other members of the “I never thought it would happen to me” club probably include people like Alex Javier and Jorge Arias, target shooters who were arrested on charges of negligence for starting last year’s Jasper Fire—which burned 800 acres. And finally: “These guys weren’t following the rules.” Fair enough. Not every stray round or desert rock will start a fire, and following the Bureau of Land Managment’s proper shooting safety protocols can keep everyone safe. Local target shooters have spoken about the need for a second, more accessible public shooting range to cut down on back country shooting, which makes sense. However, the risk is never zero. The devastating Lamoille Canyon fire of 2018—9,000 acres burned—was started at just such an

Target outdoor range. shooting causes wildfires “It is the opinion of this investigator that this fire was most likely started by someone shooting at a rock that was every year. approximately 500 meters from the shooting tables at the Spring Creek rifle range,” wrote Nevada Fire Marshal investigator John Boykin in the aftermath of the fire. This January was the hottest January ever recorded, and our mild winter is sure to give way to a dry, scorching summer in a few months. For the valley’s recreational shooters, being a “responsible gun owner” should start with acknowledging the risks that come with shooting—including wildfire danger. Ω

Are you caucusing this year?

ASKED AT THE HUB COFFEE ROASTERS, 131 PINE ST.

LIZ MANCUSO

Project manager I’m probably not going to go to the caucus. I was considering doing early voting, but I hadn’t committed to doing it yet. I’m 5050, I guess. If I do the early voting, I want to make sure I’ve done all my homework.

CHRIS LARSON

Espresso machine technician I’m not registered to vote even. I haven’t the last couple of years. I guess I’m bad. I don’t participate. I don’t know, part of it is— it may sound bad—ever since I haven’t been registered to vote I haven’t had jury duty.

JON HALEY

Social worker I’m going to early caucus. This is the first year early caucusing is being offered, and that’s why I’m doing it because I participated in the … caucus in 2016, and it was not an enjoyable experience. Who can really take off a whole day, on a Saturday, to participate?

GISSELL LEON

Designer I am. It’s my first time. I haven’t been before. I’m going to wake up early and head down there. I’m between two [candidates]. I haven’t really taken the time to read everything I need to read. Watching the debates and stuff gave me an idea, but it’s not really something I’m comfortable disclosing.

ROBERT ZELLERS

Engineer No. I would, but, one, I work a little too much—I should actually be working right now but decided not to—and then the other is I’m just not super pleased with the whole electoral process at this point. I plan on voting, but I just don’t feel like sacrificing any more of my energy for the primary process.