http://www.thedrive.com/news/22715/californias-massive-and-deadly-carr-wildfire-was-sparked-by-a-flat-tireA good reminder to check your tires. Our TT blew a tire on Memorial day and it was a PITA, but at least we didn't start any infernos.

I don't suppose the person who blew the tire happened to notice any fire.It's next to impossible to escape smoke. I've spent the past month in southern ID, northern NV, southern NV, mid UT, and now southern UT. It's everywhere.

For some reason, I have a hard time swallowing this story! I would sooner believe someone threw a lit cigarette butt out their window and that's what started the fire.Several years ago, I was standing outside a popular book store. Around the building was mulch and bushes. I noticed smoke coming from the mulch in one spot and several cigarette butts. I went inside quickly and told the casher who said the fire department had already been call. And before I could finish the conversation, the fire department pulled up. By now, the bush was on fire. Every since, I've been angry as He!! at people throwing cigarette butts on the ground ... anywhere!

DutchmenSport wrote:For some reason, I have a hard time swallowing this story! I would sooner believe someone threw a lit cigarette butt out their window and that's what started the fire.Several years ago, I was standing outside a popular book store. Around the building was mulch and bushes. I noticed smoke coming from the mulch in one spot and several cigarette butts. I went inside quickly and told the casher who said the fire department had already been call. And before I could finish the conversation, the fire department pulled up. By now, the bush was on fire. Every since, I've been angry as He!! at people throwing cigarette butts on the ground ... anywhere!Oh come on... Have you ever had a trailer tire blow? Most of us have - and you don't even know it. You don't know until you stop and see the damage to your trailer from the tire. I can easily see someone driving along - not knowing and the rim against the pavement causes sparks. Or maybe you think this is fake news?

I have seen many wheat field fires around here that have been caused by blow outs and over heated wheel bearings. blow outs that cause the rim to come into contact with the road surface and sparks are flying will cause a filed to catch fire in a heart beat

trailer tire caused california fire | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Aug 09, 2018
drmopar wrote:
The reported News said Big Rig trailer tire, not RV.
So both tires blew and the truck kept going until the sparks were flying? I am still not there.
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
drmopar wrote:
The reported News said Big Rig trailer tire, not RV.
The link above says 'trailer tire'. Nothing about a big rig.
trailer_newbe
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
Keep in mind, California has dramatically reduced clearing overgrowth therefore when these fires break out there is an abundance of fuel to burn. Add winds and it’s lights out. California Government shares the bulk of responsibility for not recognizing years of drought mandates new policies to reduce the risks when fire breaks out.
Walaby
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
Not buying it personally. I've only had one blow out, but I knew it immediately. Heard the bang, looked in mirrors, saw the tire flopping and pulled over. Don't think I would have driven for any length of time and not noticed it.

I get that forensic analysts are good, but they presented no evidence in this story.

Mike
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 09, 2018
trailer_newbe wrote:
Add winds and it’s lights out.

Nope... it's FLAME ON!! (and BRIGHTER Light)
ROBERTSUNRUS
Explorer
Aug 09, 2018
am1958 wrote:
How many reasons are there to not live in California?

:) Hi, just as many, or more, reasons to not live in Michigan.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
It is very possible for a flat to start a fire. even if you pulled over immediately the rim is still on the ground with the potential to spark! In fact a lot less people are smoking so the chances of a cigarette butt causing a fire are less than it used to be! but there are more trailers on the road than ever before so the chances are increased that a flat could cause a fire.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Aug 09, 2018
Well it happened to friends on their RV trailer in eastern AZ. 2 years later they received a $1M bill.

Disbelieve if you like.
Walaby
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
Im not saying it can't happen. In fact, about 40 years ago, I was traveling through NYC, and on the freeway was a car with FOUR WHEELS, but NO TIRES, sparks flying everywhere.

What Im taking exception to, is the article provides ZERO evidence to support the trailer blow out theory. Heck, it coulda been a regular car blow out, or a truck tire blow out. There's NOTHING presented to support that hypothesis, unless there's another article posted somewhere that substantiates the claim.

Maybe the forensic guy was able to determine that sparks caused the fire, and a chemical analysis of the spark shows that it was actually a trailer wheel vs a regular wheel.

Mike
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 09, 2018
Walaby wrote:
What Im taking exception to, is the article provides ZERO evidence to support the trailer blow out theory. Heck, it coulda been a regular car blow out, or a truck tire blow out. There's NOTHING presented to support that hypothesis, unless there's another article posted somewhere that substantiates the claim.
I guess they feel reasonable people will take them at their word without having to resort to a treatise on irrefutable forensic evidence. I'm sure if they find their original assessment was false they will correct it.