RENO, Nev. (AP) — The increased threat of wildfires in the Sierra Nevada has triggered a temporary ban on recreational target shooting in a national forest west of Lake Tahoe.
Eldorado National Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree announced Friday the ban goes into effect forest-wide on Sunday for an area covering more than 900 square miles. It will continue through Oct. 9, but could be extended if necessary.
Crabtree says target shooting can ignite fires when bullets hit rocks and spark neighboring vegetation. He says the region's most dangerous fire weather typically occurs in September and October when strong winds are mostly likely.
He says the area already is extremely dry.
Hunting with a valid state of California hunting license remains exempt from the shooting restrictions during hunting season.