This is the Clay Springs Fire burning in Utah. We drove around it Friday on our way back from California. There is no doubt about it.The west is on fire. But when I learned that 22 wildfires in Utah have been human caused by target shooting, I can't help but think: WTF??
"Utah has had many wildfires, but perhaps the most interesting thing is that 21 or 22 of them have been started by target shooting where there are rocks in dry grass. When the total reached 19 fires, many people, including politicians began to take serious note of this way wildfires, especially ones that threatened houses were being started. A number of newspaper articles were generated. Utah has some of the most militant right to bear arms advocates, and state laws have left officials unable to close areas to shooting. They are begging folks to shoot responsibly. Target shooters have caused 19 wildfires in Utah this year. Despite growing problem, state law prevents any regulation of firearms. Yesterday the 22nd target shooting incident fire was started in Millville Canyon above Cache Valley in the Bear River Mountains.
Utah’s largest fire is Clay Springs at 100,000 acres burning in the Canyon mountains east of Delta. This huge fire is likely to impact Utah mule deer population which has been struggling. Many part of the fire have burned very hot meaning recovery will not be quick. This fire was human caused, as are almost all the Utah fires. Update: It grew another 3000 acres on July 2. Potential for further expansion is currently “extreme.”"
1 comment:
Oh Nell, this is terrible. When I heard of the fires late last week I quickly googled a map of your area to see where the fires were. I thought she's safe. But this is awful that the fires are caused in this way!
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