A trash truck caught on fire in Wrightwood on Tuesday, January 2nd, due to a resident placing hot fireplace ashes and embers in their trash bin.
The CR&R Environmental driver could not believe what kind of day he had as he explained that his trash truck had caught on fire while driving his weekly trash pickup route. The driver observed that the cargo area of his vehicle was on fire. He quickly closed the cargo area hatch, realizing he had picked up a “hot load.” He then confidently drove to Highway 2 to get the load out of the mountain community to a safe spot at Desert Front Road. He had already called 911 while on his way, and the fire department would meet him there. Once he arrived, the driver used all the onboard fire extinguishers to help extinguish the fire. The San Bernardino County Fire arrived shortly after, attached a fire hose to the cargo area of the trash truck, and began filling up the cargo area with water. After draining the truck, the load was transported to the CR&R yard, where a fire truck met the driver as a safety precaution.
The driver said they must constantly watch and listen while picking up trash in a neighborhood because of children, other pedestrians, and animals. Folks could also be trying to get his attention, so it is important to be paying attention. Looking for signs of fire from the back of the trash truck moves to the top of the list this time of year. The driver would like to remind folks, Tri-Community residents, to “please keep in mind that trash and recycle barrels are for just that, trash and recyclables and not for hot ashes and embers or combustible items, for the safety of the community and the safety of the driver. Today could have been a life-changing day for me.”
CAL FIRE recommends placing ashes and embers into a non-flammable bucket, such as a metal container. Place a non-flammable lid over the bucket to reduce oxygen exposure. Place the bucket away from flammable surfaces, such as wooden decks, carpeting, and firewood area. A deck can and will catch fire from heat transferred through an ash bucket. Preferably store the bucket on concrete or bare mineral soil. Let the ashes and embers sit for several days and “drown, stir, and feel” before discarding.
