An off-duty Border Patrol officer faces hefty fines exceeding $200,000 after a gender reveal celebration spiraled out of control, igniting a vast wildfire. The incident, involving the use of a gun to detonate an explosive, resulted in a blaze that consumed 47,000 acres of public land and prompted the deployment of nearly 800 firefighters to bring it under control.
In April, officer Mark Johnson unintentionally triggered the Sawmill Fire during a gender reveal party by shooting at a target filled with Tannerite, a legal yet controversial explosive compound known to be associated with wildfires, as reported by the Arizona Daily News. The intention was to release colored powder—blue for a boy and pink for a girl—to inform guests of the baby’s gender. However, the combination of firearms and explosives at a public gathering, particularly where children were present, raised concerns about safety.
Conditions on the day of the event were less than ideal, with winds gusting at up to 40 miles per hour. The National Weather Service had issued a fire watch, indicating that the circumstances were ripe for wildland fires, as explained by Fire Chief Rita Thompson. Such alerts serve as a warning that conditions are favorable for fires to ignite and spread rapidly, which is precisely what occurred.
Despite the disaster, Johnson wasn’t charged with arson since the fire was not deliberately set. He pleaded guilty to causing a fire without the necessary permit. As part of his sentencing, Johnson will pay $100,000 upfront on October 9, followed by monthly installments of $500 over the next two decades. Taxpayers will bear the brunt of the $8.2 million expenditure incurred to extinguish the fire.
“It was an unfortunate accident,” Johnson expressed during the court proceedings. “I feel absolutely terrible about it. It was probably one of the worst days of my life.” It remains uncertain whether Johnson will retain his position as a Border Patrol agent. There is also no update on whether the couple welcomed a baby girl or boy.
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In summary, a gender reveal party turned disastrous for officer Mark Johnson, leading to a massive wildfire and significant fines. The event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of combining explosives with celebrations, particularly in dry conditions.
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