In San Diego County, wildfires are our biggest disaster risk, and nearly all of them are human-caused.
So what we can do to stop sparking fires? Especially as we head into peak fire season, in our fifth year of drought and with an abundance of dried grasses and brush? And as we get dry, strong winds that can push fires towards communities?
To answer that question, San Diego County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE Capt. Kendal Bortisser discussed the top causes of fires in the County areas last year and to date this year.
Catalytic converters often ignite fires, Bortisser said. Sometimes a catalytic converter, which is located under a vehicle’s engine, spits out hot materials that can cause fires without the driver even realizing it. The driver inadvertently may be starting various fires as he or she continues along a roadway.
Other times, drivers may decide they want to pull over on the side of the road or drive into a field to sightsee or make a phone call, but if there is brush or grass under the car, it can catch fire from a catalytic converter, Bortisser said. He advises motorists to be very careful of where they are driving to be sure they don’t accidentally start a fire under their vehicle.
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