Did You Know? | Flickr by Marco Verch
Did You Know? | Flickr by Marco Verch
From March 22, 2023 post.
Did you know that snowmobiles have unintentionally sparked spring wildfires in Alaska? The record setting 10,302 acre Kwethluk Fire in the the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta was unintentionally sparked last April. Two snowmachiners were traveling across exposed tundra when the ignition occurred and the fire quickly grew out of control. Thankfully the snowmachiners immediately reported the fire to dispatch (800-237-3633 or 911) so that aerial observation could begin.
There are a variety of ways overland machines and off-highway vehicles (OHVs) can spark wildfires. Exhaust temperatures can reach temperatures of 1,000+ degrees. An old Alaskan bush-pilot once noted “oil on hot metal will catch fire faster than a spray of gasoline.” Vehicles and equipment can shoot sparks from their exhaust, particularly vehicles that haven’t received regular maintenance.
We encourage you to spread awareness with people you know as the seasonal outlook for 2023 predicts increased wildfire activity again around Bethel, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and anywhere in Alaska with lower snowfall or rapid spring snowpack melt.
https://akfireinfo.com/.../snowmachines-can-spark-tundra.../
#wildlandfire #fireprevention
Original source can be found here.
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