BENTON COUNTY, Wash. -- Firefighters are anticipating a busy summer fire season. The risk level is already moderate, and it's only the middle of May.
Deputies say a brush fire Saturday in Badger Canyon was sparked by a stray bullet. So far there have been three brush fires started by people.
Firefighters say a blaze sparked by gunfire is common and often people who go to large fields for target practice don't even know what their bullet is striking.
"If you hit a rock, or a piece of steel or anything that can cause a spark out there, that's what's going to cause your fire," explains Devin Helland of Benton County Fire District 1.
While there are no restrictions to firing a gun in Benton County, the office says that doesn't allow people to go on private property. If caught, people could face a year in jail.
