ADOT participates in wildfire prevention event at Sunset Point
ADOT participates in wildfire prevention event at Sunset Point
As the last of winter storms roll through and warmer weather starts to hit Arizona, drivers need to be aware of the threat of their cars potentially sparking wildfires along highways.
Drivers can inadvertently start fires through a lack of attention. To help spread the word about ways we can all help prevent wildfires, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and ADOT held a wildland fire prevention day event at Sunset Point Rest Area.
On April 5, wildland prevention officers and others handed out flyers, posters, small first-aid kits, sticker sheets and more to motorists who passed through the rest area with information about how to prevent wildland fires. Smokey Bear made an appearance, too.
According to data gathered by DFFM’s Arizona Dispatch Center, in 2023, agencies responded to nearly 500 roadside fires, which accounted for 26% of all wildfires in the state.
If you’re planning on taking a road trip this summer, remember these tips to help prevent wildfires:
- Avoid parking your vehicle on dry grass or driving through tall grass because heat from the underside of your vehicle can start a fire.
- Never throw a cigarette out of a vehicle.
- Make sure trailer chains are securely attached. Loose chains can drag on the pavement, shooting sparks off the road and into dry brush and grass.
- Check tire pressure before you travel. Exposed wheel rims can cause sparks on the asphalt.