The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced restitution agreements in two cases where recreational shooting with prohibited exploding ammunition sparked wildfires in Idaho. The settlements, totaling more than $24,000, are intended to recover taxpayer costs and send a clear message about accountability when shooting practices endanger public lands. The first incident, known as the Leeds Fire, occurred on October 30, 2024, when a shooter used exploding ammunition on BLM-managed land. The blaze spread rapidly across roughly 355 acres, burning through a mix of BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, state, and private property. Suppression costs and damages were calculated at $20,034.98. The responsible party agreed to pay the restitution in April 2025. Just days later, on November 1, 2024, the Chalky Butte Fire began under similar circumstances at a designated recreation site. Although much smaller in scaleburning approximately two acresthe fire still required significant firefighting resources. Restitution in that case was set at about $4,355 and was also settled in April 2025. Both fires were traced directly to the use of exploding ammunition, which is prohibited under an active Fire Prevention Order for BLM lands in Idaho. That order also bans tracer, incendiary, and steel-component ammunition, as well as steel targets, due to the heightened risk of sparking or igniting dry vegetation. Despite repeated warnings and signage, officials say target shooting remains the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in the state this year. BLM Boise District Manager Shelly Lynch emphasized the consequences of ignoring the regulations, reminding shooters that unsafe recreation threatens not only landscapes but also nearby communities and responders. Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott added that restitution serves both to offset the cost of fire suppression and to reinforce the principle of accountability on public lands. Federal officials stressed that these cases should serve as a warning to all recreational shooters during peak fire season. The scale of the problem is significant. BLM Idaho Fire responds to around 330 wildland fires annually, burning an average of 270,000 acres. Nearly 500 fire professionals staff the program, representing a major share of the Department of the Interiors firefighting resources. Officials continue to warn that one careless actlike using prohibited ammo typescan set off a chain of events costing taxpayers millions and putting lives at risk. For shooters, the message is straightforward. Exploding or steel-based ammunition, along with steel targets, cannot be used on BLM lands during fire season. Safer options include approved paper or cardboard targets with solid dirt backstops. Fire officials also encourage shooters to bring water, shovels, or extinguishers when recreating, even with legal equipment, as a precaution against accidental ignitions. The costs of failure to comply now go beyond fines: five-figure restitution payments are a real possibility when fires occur. These incidents also underscore the broader tension between recreational access and environmental stewardship. Public lands remain popular shooting destinations, but fire seasons are running hotter, drier, and longer. As wildfire risks increase, agencies are expected to enforce restrictions more aggressively, and lawmakers may revisit how target shooting is managed in high-risk areas.