POCATELLO — The Bureau of Land Management said a fire that scorched nearly 500 acres of land in South Pocatello on June 8 was caused by shooters illegally using exploding targets.

BLM officials said the shooters were a group of adults who were firing guns at illegal targets on BLM land near Century High School. The agency prohibits exploding targets on its lands between May and Oct. 20.

Though their identities have not released, BLM officials said the shooters have been issued misdemeanor citations.

The BLM is currently in the process of reviewing the case to determine if additional legal action should be taken against the shooters.

The June 8 blaze, dubbed the Gap Fire, burned 486 acres of land on the hills near Century High School.

It was East Idaho’s first major wildfire of the season and threatened houses before fire crews halted its advance.

Ultimately, nobody was hurt and no structures were damaged.

The shooters who were cited might also have to foot the bill for the massive emergency response effort needed to battle the June 8 blaze. Approximately 80 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Pocatello Valley Fire Department responded to the blaze.

It could take a few months before the agency determines the exact cost of extinguishing the Gap Fire. However, BLM officials said the final cost will be at least in the tens of thousands of dollars.

According to a BLM press release issued on Tuesday, exploding targets are binary explosives that are ignited by bullets. When struck by a bullet, the target lets out a loud bang and a puff of smoke. The heat that is given off from the ignition is strong enough to spark a wildfire, according to BLM.

“The potential of exploding targets to start wildfires is why the BLM Fire Prevention Order is in place,” a BLM press release said.

In a separate case, authorities in Franklin County are still investigating a grass fire that destroyed three outbuildings at a residence in Fairview near Preston. This blaze occurred on the same day as the Gap Fire.

Investigators estimate that the cost of the damage caused by the Fairview fire was $50,000.

Fire Marshall Scott Martin said the blaze was suspicious. As of Tuesday, the cause of the grass fire is still under investigation.