VIDEO: As the Monarch Fire just west of the Valley reaches more containment, evacuation warnings have been dialed back. Fire investigators believe someone dragging chains behind a car started the wildfire. Knowing this is a common way that wildfires ignite, a longtime Arizona resident was inspired to do something to help. โPeople need to start listening to the advice and the warnings and just take care of our forests,โ said Lynn Preble. โBecause they are going to burn down if weโre not careful.โ
She has lived in Arizona since the 1970s and loves the diversity of the state, from the landscape to the people. Years ago she heard about a wildfire starting from the sparks of chains and felt like she had to do something to prevent another. Preble got to thinking about what kind of material would sustain hitting the ground on a chain. Her brother is a retired firefighter, so he helped as well. She started creating tow chain covers made out of firehoses. Preble did some research and found a fire department in northern California doing something similar.
The firehoses she cuts up were donated by local water truck company J & S Equipment and by the Eagar Fire Department. Preble calls it โOperation Spark Arrest.โ โIs it foolproof? Nope. Nothing is,โ she said. โBut itโs our best chance of at least stopping those sparks of a chain dragging.โ She hopes that even getting the product out there will start conversation and make people think twice about preparing their chains. Preble has been donating the covers through Facebook groups, at local businesses and through word of mouth.
