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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has banned exploding targets in southern Idaho, southwestern Wyoming, Nevada, Utah and a small portion of eastern California because of wildfire and public safety concerns.
Intermountain Region Forester Nora Rasure issued the ban that started Wednesday and runs through July 22, 2015, on national forest lands.
Some target shooters use exploding targets because they contain chemicals that mix when struck by a bullet and create a loud bang and big puff of smoke.
But the Forest Service says exploding targets the past two years have started at least 16 wildfires in Western states that cost $33 million to fight.
The Forest Service in May imposed a similar ban in northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and portions of South Dakota, and last year in Oregon and Washington.
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