Brick Man Charged with Arson After Setting 350-Acre Wildfire With Illegal Dragon’s Breath Shotgun Shell

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 37-year-old man from Brick Township has been charged with arson and firearms violations in connection with a wildfire that burned approximately 350 acres in Jackson Township, Ocean County authorities announced Friday.

As first reported by Shore News Network, that fire was caused by a man using illegal incendiary ammunition at a local rifle range.

Richard Shashaty was charged following an extensive investigation by multiple law enforcement and environmental agencies. The fire, which began on November 6 near the Central Jersey Rifle Range on Stump Tavern Road, prompted a large emergency response from local fire departments and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

The fire shut down Cedar Swamp Road for days and put more than a dozens of homes at extreme risk during the fire. Those families were forced to evacuate as the fire neared.

The blaze was reported around 12:15 p.m. that day, according to the Jackson Township Police Department. Responders worked to contain the fire, which spread across hundreds of acres, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds. Officials determined the origin of the fire was behind a berm in the southwest corner of the rifle range, where incendiary ammunition had been discharged.