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Cars, Not Arson, Suspected Source Of Fires Along Highway 14

Los Angeles County Fire officials warned about a roadside fire hazard believed to be responsible for a series of fires Thursday. 


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The excessive heat wave hitting Santa Clarita is leaving the undercarriage of cars dangerously hot, and fire officials suspect several of the fires might have been caused by heat from cars.

“We’ve seen several fires starting early this year, and the heat brings up more issues,” said Fire Inspector Richard Licon. “When people pull over to the side of the road and the muffler is pointed over at the brush, the exhaust can start a fire. So we want to make sure that if you do pull over, be sure to turn off your car.”

California Highway Patrol officer Josh Greengard confirmed that despite initial reports, officers did not have any direct evidence of arson. The pattern of fires started alongside Highway 14 where cars had pulled over in triple-digit heat certainly made sense, he said.

Several of the fires were started near the Escondido Canyon Road exit on Highway 14, where temperatures reached above 105 degrees for several hours. There were all the elements to start a fire in those conditions, including dry grass, dead vegetation and not much water out there, he added.

“It doesn’t matter whether the car’s off or it’s been running,” Greengard cautioned. “Try to not pull over onto vegetation, and try to stay on the dirt or gravel portion (of the shoulder).”

Issues have arisen recently along Highway 14 because the road’s incline forces vehicles to pull over with the muffler pointed at the flammable brush bordering the freeway, Licon said. If the vehicle is not turned off and allowed to run, the heat exhaust can spark a flame which results in a quickly spreading brushfire.

Additionally, issues caused by extreme heat arise not only due to fire danger, but also can create individual health hazards for residents, for a number of reasons.

“For the extreme heat waves we want to encourage citizens to eat before physical activity and stay hydrated,” said Licon. “Also, we want residents to keep eye on the elderly and young children because they might not understand how their bodies react to the heat and they could pass out or have health issues because of this weather.”

Sheriff’s Station officials also shared advice and warnings to residents about the dangers of the heat wave.

“Temperatures inside vehicles, even if the windows are partially open, can quickly rise to life-threatening levels,” said a Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station Facebook post. “Do not ever leave children or pets in a hot car.”

In Santa Clarita, Friday has an expected high of 108 degrees with a low of 79 degrees, Saturday has a high of 108 and a low of 78 degrees and Sunday has a chance of slipping back into triple digits with a high of 96 and a low of 73 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

In preparation for the heat, the Los Angeles County Public Health office has established Cooling Stations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley in order to offer information regarding heat safety and assistance in the event of heat exhaustion or dehydration.

To find one of these locations near you, visit the Public Health’s Cooling Station List here.

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Cars, Not Arson, Suspected Source Of Fires Along Highway 14

2 comments

  1. If that’s the case, then why aren’t we having a rash of fires today? It’s certain hotter…

  2. So how many motorists are pulling off the road for mechanical issues? Late model cars with good cooling systems??? Hard to get off the freeway and find brush to park in to spark a fire. Potty break? Catalytic converters are great for this. Maybe someone else could be responsible?

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About Caleb Lunetta

Caleb has been a Santa Clarita resident for most of his life. After attending Hart High School, Caleb went on to study political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara along with College of the Canyons.