On a recent weekend, State Route 87 (Beeline Highway) was closed for a couple of hours between Fountain Hills and Payson when a brush fire caused by a person broke out along the roadway.
While the exact cause wasn’t immediately determined, the 5.5-acre Oak Fire demonstrates why motorists should secure tow chains, properly inflate tires, check brakes and take other steps to reduce the risk of starting a wildfire. Just one spark can cause all kinds of problems.
In addition to putting lives and property at risk, fires that spread quickly in dry brush can lead to highway closures and inconvenience for motorists.
Dragging chains and other metal, a common cause of sparks along highways, can spark multiple brush fires along dozens of miles.