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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Firefighters in Saratoga Springs put out several blazes started by gunfire each month. Just this weekend two fires were started by people out target shooting.
Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Jerry Lund says the problem is so big it keeps his firefighters away from other emergency calls in town.
Firefighters say a lot of people are careless, firing off rounds in very flammable brush or even shooting at illegal targets that explode.
"On any given day you can see probably 20 to 30 shooters in a very small area," Lund said.
But when those shooters aren't careful, those bullets can easily start fires. Often there are plenty of guns and not enough caution in the area west of Utah Lake. During the summer months Saratoga Springs firefighters are called out to dozens of blazes at the improvised firing ranges.
"It puts a strain on the department. Running to multiple fires, it takes basically our entire city out of service," Lund said.
Ryan Bennett and his family spent Monday evening shooting their guns in the hills west of Utah Lake.
"It's safe to shoot here, with all the dirt behind us to catch all of the bullets, and there's not a lot of people around," Bennett said. "It's nice to come out her and shoot."
The Bennetts are also aware of the fire hazard right now because of the dry conditions. So, they came prepared with a fire extinguisher.
There are certain times of the year that they definitely need to shut the area down for shooting.
–Julie Smith, Utah County homeowner
"I heard that people had been out her starting fires while shooting on ksl.com, and that is why we brought it with us today," Bennett said.
Most of the land, where the target shooting happens is owned by the BLM, and officials with the agency believe people can easily minimize the risk.
"Some of the targets we are finding out there are steel; they can be susceptible to a spark," says BLM spokeswoman Erin Darboven. "Sometimes people are shooting at rocks that can ricochet and cause a spark."
Someone who worries about target practice during the summer is Julie Smith. She is one of just a few people who live in the area, and in previous years she's suffered property damage from a fire blamed on a bullet.
"All around our house, burned haystacks, barns just burned, everything," Smith recalled.
She favors restrictions on target shooting during the hot summer months. "There are certain times of the year that they definitely need to shut the area down for shooting."
As the summer goes on, and the brush starts to dry out, the danger will only get worse. Firefighters say the biggest thing is a lot of these shooters just don't come prepared. They suggest shooters always take some water or a fire extinguisher just in case, and don't shoot at rocks or metal objects that could spark a fire.
Written with contributions from Sam Penrod and Mike Anderson.
