Carr Fire in California caused by flat trailer tire sparks

[John E Davies]

It happens countless times on roads across America: a vehicle gets a flat tire, usually just a temporary inconvenience.

 

But on one road near Redding, California, when a tire failed last month on a trailer and its rim scraped the asphalt, the result was catastrophic for an entire region.

 

The sparks that shot out July 23 from that minor incident, California fire officials said, ignited what is now the sixth-most destructive wildfire in state history.

 

The Carr Fire blazed a fiery path along Highway 299, lighting up mile after mile of dry brush as it crept up on residential areas.

 

The blaze turned everything it touched into ash, mangled metal and black embers, and is still burning nearly two weeks later. It's killed seven people, scorched more than 145,000 acres and is the deadliest of 17 blazes racing through the state.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/04/us/carr-fire-week-wrap/

 

This will not happen with aluminum wheels - they will not spark - but it demonstrates why a TPMS system is so valuable. Can you imagine how the clueless owner of that trailer feels, knowing he caused all that death and destruction? I think TPMS should be mandatory equipment on every new trailer sold.

 

John Davies

 

Spokane WA

[Spike]

the result was catastrophic for an entire region

 

Just think of how that person towing that trailer will feel about that incident for the rest of his or her life . . .