“The fire was caused by magnesium shards of a Dragon’s Breath 12 gauge shotgun round igniting available combustibles on the berm of the shooting range. The firing of this type of incendiary or tracer ammunition is prohibited in the State of New Jersey,” law enforcement and forest fire officials said in a statement.

A man has been charged with arson after officials say he fired an illegal shotgun round that sparked a wildfire in Jackson Township, New Jersey, scorching 350 acres of land and prompting evacuations in the surrounding community.

Richard Shashaty, 37, was allegedly using illegal tracer ammunition at the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday when he fired a round at a grass berm. Shards of magnesium touched off a fire that spread quickly on the parched ground, Ocean County Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Authorities arrested a man for allegedly starting a wildfire with a shotgun with Dragon's Breath ammo that shot flaming pellets.

A massive wildfire that scorched 350 acres in Jackson Township was ignited by an illegal shotgun round that authorities said was fired by a 37-year-old Brick Township man.Authorities charged Richard Shashaty,

Prosecutors have charged a man with arson in connection with a wildfire in Jackson Township​ that broke out on Wednesday and has burned 350 acres.