Originally Posted by
bikingshearer
That is a possibility, but the shooting itself could have done it. Bullets ricocheting off rocks causes sparks. Sparks in inopportune places cause dry grass to ignite. And so forth.
Between one or more target shooters causing teh Morgan Fire and a bow hunter's illegl camp fire causing the Rim Fire, it hasn't exactly been a banner season,
PR-wise, for folks bearng arms.
Bullets are lead, or lead covered with copper. That doesn't cause sparks, you need steel for that. However, if the shooter was using black powder, that CAN start a fire. I've done it myself at the range, and put it right out. Black powder continues to burn as it leaves the muzzle and can start a fire if the embers land on dry grass or brush. Modern smokeless powder doesn't do that.