Fire officials in Rycroft are urging the public to keep regular maintenance on their vehicles a high priority. This comes after a grass fire near the village may have potentially been caused by a malfunctioning piece from a car or truck which ended up in the roadside ditch.
Central Peace Fire Chief Brian Kroes says, in his opinion, the fire didn’t have the trademark look of a lit cigarette flicked out a window, or many of the other usual suspects this time of year.
“Whether it had a hot brake that was falling apart or a hot wheel drum that was starting to break apart. It was only on one side of the road and just kept working its way south to Grande Prairie. It was sporadic, that’s what gets me to think that’s what it was.”
Kroes says above and beyond basic maintenance practices like keeping brake discs lubricated and heavily relied upon parts in the best condition possible is important. Get hands-on with the vehicle, especially during hot, dry weather.
“Maybe when you stop, touch the hubs to see if they’re very hot and keep a good eye [on it]. It’s very difficult to see sometimes that they’re very hot and ready to let go. So, it may not even be a visual thing.”
A fire advisory remains in effect for the MD of Spirit River.