Man charged with arson after New Jersey wildfire sparked by shotgun bullet: authorities

A New Jersey man has been charged with arson in connection with a 350-acre wildfire that authorities say was started by an incendiary shotgun bullet.

Richard Shashaty, 37, of Brick Township, was charged with arson and violation of firearms regulations, according to a press release the Ocean County Prosecutor and other officials.

The fire, in Jackson Township in central New Jersey, broke out around noon Nov. 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road, firefighters said.

The fire was dubbed the shotgun blast.

Investigators concluded the fire started behind a berm at the gun club and was caused by magnesium shrapnel from a 12-gauge “Dragon’s Breath” shotgun shell, which ignited material on the berm .

The firing of incendiary or tracer munitions is not permitted in New Jersey, authorities said.

Authorities said Shashaty was responsible for the shooting. He surrendered to the police on November 9.

The Shotgun Fire was one of several large fires that broke out in New Jersey in recent days, fueled by unusually dry and gusty conditions.

At a news conference Saturday on two other New Jersey wildfires, Bill Donnelly, chief of the New Jersey Wildland Fire Department, said firefighters responded to a total of 400 fires last month and about 40 fires between Friday and Saturday alone.

“Things have been dry. Crazy dry, actually,” he said.

As for when firefighters will take a break, Donelly said, “It’s up to Mother Nature, you know, when she brings the rain, we’ll take a break.” But until we see that there is, I don’t see any break in sight. “.

Wildfires in New Jersey have pushed smoke into New York City, causing hazy skies and warnings of hazardous air quality.