The Associated Press

Thu, Dec 4, 2008 (7:15 p.m.)

A 29-year-old target shooter convicted of sparking a wildfire that burnt down 30 homes outside Yosemite National Park has been sentenced to 60 hours of community service.

Davin Craig Mosher of Merced was also sentenced Thursday to three years of probation. A judge has also ordered that his two rifles be destroyed.

Authorities say Mosher started the massive fire on June 25 while shooting steel-jacketed bullets along a river bank in a remote area west of the park.

The blaze eventually grew to 34,000 acres, cost the state more than $37 million to battle and caused millions of dollars in property damage.

Mariposa County District Attorney Robert Brown says Mosher could eventually pay restitution costs in addition to the $500 fine levied against him.