VIDEO: A man is accused of starting a new wildfire by driving his pickup truck on a bare metal rim for nearly three miles. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to reports of a rapidly spreading wildfire off Bagdad Road near the Hillside and Yava communities around 3 p.m. on August 1, which prompted the need for roadblocks. Deputies believe the man crashed his truck into an embankment which blew out a tire, according to the initial investigation. “Instead of stopping, he allegedly continued driving toward his home. The sparks from the metal rim grinding against the asphalt are thought to have started multiple fires along the roadside,” stated officials on the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
YCSO says the Hillside resident was arrested for DUI, reckless burning, and endangerment. “It’s important that people pay attention to just how bad the fire hazards are with our conditions. It’s super-hot, super-dry right now. Lots of wind, and we have seen in the past.. fires like this caused by things like someone driving on a metal rim after a blow-out. We’ve seen tire chains being dragged. Of course, you know, everybody’s aware, people throwing smoking materials out of the window of the car. There’s lots of different ways it can happen,” said YCSO Sgt. Jack Mattox.
