Gender reveal prank sparks massive bushfire involving 800 fire fighters
Video has been released showing the gender reveal prank that led to a costly bushfire forcing 200 people to evacuate their homes.
The US Forest Service distributed footage showing a rectangular target with a diamond, chequered design marked with “boy” or “girl” in Coronado National Forest in Arizona.
It then explodes emitting a blue gaseous plume – lighting the grass on fire.
“Start packing up!” a man yells off camera.
The incident occurred in April 2017.
The Arizona Daily Star reported on the video it obtained on Monday through a public records request, and it was shared widely on social media. The Associated Press received the video from the Forest Service on Tuesday.
Dennis Dickey told authorities he constructed the target with a substance known as Tannerite that detonates when hit by a bullet from a high-velocity firearm, according to court documents.
He reported the fire immediately to law enforcement on April 23, 2017 and was cooperative in the Forest Service investigation, authorities said.
“It was a complete accident,” Mr Dickey told the Daily Star.
“I feel absolutely horrible about it. It was probably one of the worst days of my life.”
Costly mistake for fire starter Dennis Dickey
The Sawmill fire burned through nearly 47,000 acres and needed about 800 fire fighters to put it out. About 200 people had to be evacuated from their homes.
It burned for nearly a week, Tucson.com reported.
Fire officials said gusty winds and the broken topography helped push the growth of the blaze.
The damage to state, federal and private land, and firefighting costs topped $11 million (AUD).
Dickey pleaded guilty in September to a federal misdemeanour charge of starting a fire without a permit.
He was sentenced in October to five years of probation.
He also was ordered to make an initial payment of $138,000 in restitution and monthly payments of $690.
with Associated Press
