To shoot or not to shoot?

Every year during the Fire Season, we need to ask ourselves;

“Should I go shooting or not?”

We know people are anxious to go recreational shooting in the forest, but, consider the high risk of fire danger! Perhaps you should put it off until conditions improve.

We know there are closures to some recreational activities, including target shooting, in several of our Northwest Forests because of high fire danger. You need to check with the forest management agency for current restrictions before going out.

But if you decide to go shooting, here’s some things you need to consider:

• Shoot early and not after 1 pm.

• Choose a place without dry grass or brush. (Gravel pit offers good protection against fire starts but don’t shoot into or use rocks as a backstop. Most gravel pits have some good backstops of real small/fine gravel or dirt. Ricochet is common even off loose gravel.) Dirt backstops are always best!

• Fire Prevention Gear is required. Min gear, FOR ALL VEHICLES TRAVELING IN THE FORESTS, is at least 1 gallon of water, (or a 2.5 lb fire extinguisher), and a shovel. The shovel needs to be at least 26″ long with an 8″ blade. We recommend at least 2 gallons of water, a 5 lb fire extinguisher and a hatchet or axe.