Last Thursday, a soft drink truck was completely destroyed by a fire in Death Valley, marking the fourth vehicle blaze in the California national park in just over a month. The incident occurred on state Route 190 near the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, with the truck burning down to its frame. Fortunately, the driver was unharmed. Firefighters suspect that the fire was caused by overheated brakes.
Vehicle fires have become an issue in Death Valley, with a total of six reported this year, including two in the past month. According to Abby Wines, a spokesperson for Death Valley National Park, “Most vehicle fires here happen because brakes overheat when crossing steep descents.” This problem underscores why many car manufacturers test their vehicles in Death Valley’s extreme conditions during the summer.
The frequency of vehicle fires in the park has increased compared to previous years. “These fires occur throughout the year, though the summer heat exacerbates the issue,” Wines noted. July was recorded as the hottest month ever in Death Valley, during which a truck was completely consumed by flames after brake overheating while descending Towne Pass. Another vehicle caught fire at Dantes View a week later. The Dantes View fire was unusual as it ignited at the summit, with the cause not linked to brake overheating.
From August 8 to 11, the temperature at Furnace Creek did not drop below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, contributing to the heightened risk of fires. On August 11, a travel trailer was incinerated, followed by the soft drink truck’s blaze just four days later.
Wines pointed out that larger vehicles are at a greater risk of fire, with all but two of this year’s incidents involving large trucks, and one involving a pickup truck towing a fifth-wheel camper. Drivers in Death Valley are advised to use engine braking by downshifting when descending steep grades to reduce brake strain.