Video Surfaces of Crazy Gender Reveal That Started Wildfire, Goes Viral

In what universe is this a good idea?

gender reveal party arizona

Last September, U.S. Border Patrol agent Dennis Dickey, 37, pleaded guilty to accidentally causing the Sawmill Fire in southern Arizona, which scorched more than 45,000 acres and led to more than $8 million worth of damage earlier in 2017. As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to a five years' probation and to pay $220,000 in restitution.

The fire was caused by a gender-reveal party for his wife. Off-duty at the time, Dickey had placed Tannerits, an explosive substance, onto a purple-checkered target reading "Boy" and "Girl." When he shot at the target, it caused a fire that forced over 100 people to evacuate their homes and took about 600 firefighters two weeks to finally extinguish.

Now, the U.S. Forest Service has released a 49-second video of the fateful moment the fire began in the Coronado National Forest, near Green Valley, Arizona. You can see the sparks from the gunshot immediately catch fire among the dry brush and ignore the blaze, and hear someone shout "Start packing up" immediately thereafter.

For what it's worth, Dickey immediately reported the fire to 911, cooperated with authorities, and accepted responsibility for his actions.

"It was a complete accident," Dickey told the judge in federal court, the Arizona Daily Star reported. "I feel absolutely horrible about it. It was probably one of the worst days of my life."

And in case you're still wondering: it's a boy.

For a slightly more heroic tale that involves a raging wildfire, read about the nurse that drove through flames to help save lives in the California Camp Fire.


Diana Bruk
Filed Under
Best Life
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