Man charged with arson after New Jersey wildfire started by shotgun: 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 rifle.

Richard Shashaty, 37, of Brick Township, was charged with arson and a firearms violation. according to a news release from the Ocean County District Attorney and other officials.

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

The fire was called shotgun fire.

Investigators determined the fire started behind the berm near the gun club and was caused by magnesium shrapnel from a 12-gauge Dragon’s Breath shotgun igniting materials on the berm.

It is illegal to fire incendiary or tracer ammunition in New Jersey.

Authorities said Shashati was responsible for the shooting. He turned to the police on November 9.

There was rifle fire one of several large fires flare up in New Jersey over the past few days, driven by extremely dry and gusty weather.

At a press conference Saturday about two other wildfires in New Jersey, Bill Donnelly, chief of the New Jersey Wildfire Service, said firefighters responded to a total of 400 fires last month and about 40 between Friday and Saturday alone.

“The case was dry. Crazy dry actually,” he said.

As for when the firefighters will rest, Donnelly said, “It depends on Mother Nature, you know when it rains, we’ll take a break. But until we see what that is, I don’t see any break.”

Wildfires in New Jersey pushed smoke into New York, leading to hazy skies hazardous air quality warning.