Equipment use and careless debris burning account for 50% of wildfires in Texas. Equipment includes vehicles, trailers, ATV/UTVs, heavy equipment, and other motorized equipment.
Be cautious when using equipment that could potentially overheat or spark and ignite a wildfire.
Vehicles
- Keep all vehicles in good working order. Install spark arrestors when appropriate. Maintain the vehicle’s exhaust system as failing catalytic converters may emit extremely hot metal fragments and ignite nearby vegetation.
- Avoid driving, parking, or idling over tall, dry grass. The catalytic converter underneath your vehicle is hot enough to ignite vegetation it contacts. Its temperature is between 550 to –1,600 degrees when operating and can reach 2,000 degrees if not running properly.
- Keep tires properly inflated. Blowouts can ignite a roadside fire. Wheel rims may strike the pavement and create sparks. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle and inspect regularly to ensure all tires are properly inflated and check for signs of excessive wear or damage.
Trailers
- Maintain your trailer or RV to ensure wheel bearings, lights, wiring, and brakes function properly before your trip. Keep an eye on your trailer while driving and stop immediately if you notice any smoke, sparks, or flat tire.
- Have two secured chains when towing a trailer, boat, or RV, even for short trips. Dragging tow chains can create sparks and ignite roadside vegetation.
- Inspect your trailer and tow vehicle completely before each trip for any loose tie-downs or items that could shift and come in contact with the road.
Agricultural and other equipment
- Keep mufflers and spark arresters on ag equipment in proper working order.
- Motorized equipment such as lawnmowers may ignite a wildfire by its blades hitting a rock or piece of metal. Inspect the area you are going to mow for any metal or rock debris. Avoid mowing during the hottest and driest part of the day.
- Heavy equipment such as tractors and hay balers can potentially overheat or malfunction and ignite a wildfire. Regularly inspect bearings and other parts to remove any obstructions and replace worn or damaged parts. Keeping equipment well maintained and functioning properly can reduce the chances of overheating or sparks.
- Monitor hay baling operations closely, dry hay can ignite within the baler.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on heavy equipment.
- Ensure operators have a radio, phone, or other communication device so they can report any issues.
Welding/grinding
- Clear vegetation from the work area.
- Wet down the work area prior to starting to weld or grinding operations.
- Avoid welding and grinding on windy or dry days.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby.
- Have a spotter with you to monitor for a fire ignited by sparks.