![5 Ways Driving a Car Can Start a Wildfire](http://townsquare.media/site/508/files/2018/06/Woman-Driving-Car-Wildfire-Split-Screen-Thinkstock-1600x1067.jpg?w=980&q=75)
5 Ways Driving a Car Can Start a Wildfire
Everything around the western part of Colorado is so dry it doesn't take much to start a fire. Here are the ways you can easily start a fire just by driving your car.
With summer vacation season underway, a lot of people are packing up their vehicle, towing a camper or trailer with their outdoor equipment, and heading our for some fun. That's great, but while you're traveling be aware these five things can easily start a fire.
- Dragging Safety Chains - If you're towing a trailer, make sure the chains aren't so loose they can touch the ground. When those chains drag on the pavement or hit rocks, they throw off sparks which can easily start a fire.
- Parts of the Car Dragging on the Ground - Just like dragging chains, loose parts that hit the pavement will throw off sparks which will start a fire. Check under your vehicle before traveling to make sure there's nothing that is or can come loose.
- Worn Out Brakes - Once the brake pads are worn out it's metal on metal every time you hit the brake pedal. The hot metal and sparks from brakes is a surefire way to start a fire. If you haven't checked your brakes for wear recently, now is a great time to do it.
- Driving Through Dry Grass and Brush - The exhaust system under a vehicle is hot enough to start a fire when it comes in contact with extremely dry vegetation. It's very easy to light not only the grass and brush on fire, but your car, too.
- Low Tire Pressure - If the pressure is low enough, the rim can touch the pavement and send sparks flying. Making sure the tires have the proper air pressure will not only help prevent a fire, it will also give you better gas mileage.
Even if you don't normally do so, carry a fire extinguisher. Buy one that is approved for auto and RV use and keep it in a place where it can be accessed quickly. If the worst happens, you may have a chance at extinguishing or containing a fire before it becomes out of control.
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