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Authorities charged Richard Shashaty, 37, with arson after an investigation revealed that magnesium shards from a prohibited Dragon’s Breath 12-gauge shotgun round sparked the blaze on Nov. 6, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
The fire, known as the Shotgun Wildfire, erupted shortly after noon on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road. Investigators determined that the incendiary round ignited dry vegetation on a berm in the range’s southwest corner, setting off a blaze that grew rapidly, prompting the evacuation of 15 homes and threatening 25 structures. The use of incendiary or tracer ammunition, like the Dragon’s Breath round, is illegal in New Jersey due to its high fire risk.
By Friday, Nov. 8, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported 90% containment of the wildfire, with firefighters remaining on-site to strengthen containment lines. Though evacuation orders were lifted the first night, the fire continued to smolder, and authorities caution that smoke will likely linger until significant rainfall fully extinguishes the blaze.
Shashaty, who surrendered to police on Nov. 9, was charged with arson and violations of New Jersey’s firearms regulations. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer and NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette praised the swift response and collaborative efforts of local and state agencies, including the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, in containing the blaze and tracing its origin.
The Shotgun Wildfire, which threatened nearby homes and required extensive firefighting resources, underscores the danger of illegal incendiary ammunition and the importance of fire safety laws in protecting New Jersey’s communities and natural spaces.
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