Semi Trucks on Fire in California and Beyond

Semi trucks have been catching fire on California highways, raising concerns about safety and regulations. The fires are often caused by overheating brakes, which can be due to inadequate maintenance or worn-out parts.

In California, the high temperatures and dry conditions make it a hotspot for semi truck fires. The state's geography, with mountains and deserts, can also contribute to the issue.

The number of semi truck fires in California is significant, with over 100 reported incidents in a single year.

Semi truck fires are a serious concern on the nation's roadways, with an estimated 7,000 occurring every year. These fires can cause millions of dollars in equipment and cargo losses, as well as serious injury or death to drivers and other motorists.

Poor maintenance is a leading cause of semi truck fires. Conducting pre- and post-trip inspections can help identify potential issues before they become major problems.

There are several key areas to check during these inspections. Make sure all components of your truck's braking system work properly, and that your brakes are properly adjusted. Also, keep wheel bearings properly lubricated to reduce the risk of a frozen or locked bearing.

A blown wheel seal can also cause a semi truck fire. So, be sure to check for any signs of a blown seal, and report any defects to your supervisor immediately.

In addition to these checks, there are several other factors that can contribute to semi truck fires. These include worn or damaged fluid hoses and wiring insulation, as well as electrical cables that are touching each other.

Proper cargo loading and ventilation are also crucial. Make sure cargo is properly sealed and loaded, and that the trailer has proper ventilation to prevent the buildup of heat.

Other potential causes of semi truck fires include hauling hazardous materials, and using aftermarket equipment that could lead to electrical fires. Always follow proper fueling procedures, and don't smoke while driving.

Here are some key steps to take to prevent semi truck fires:

Semi truck accidents are a leading cause of fatalities on US roads, accounting for over 4,000 deaths annually.

The majority of these accidents involve a semi truck colliding with another vehicle, with passenger cars being the most common type of vehicle involved.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most common causes of semi truck accidents include driver fatigue, reckless driving, and vehicle maintenance issues.

Semi trucks are often involved in accidents due to their size and weight, making them difficult to maneuver in emergency situations.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that semi trucks are more likely to be involved in accidents during nighttime hours and in areas with poor road conditions.

In 2020, the FMCSA reported that the top three states for semi truck accident fatalities were Texas, California, and Florida.

Firefighters are battling a fire involving electric vehicles, after four semis went up in flames at the Nikola Corporation headquarters in Phoenix.

Typically, crews would put sand over this type of fire to extinguish it, but in this case, they can't do that because the semis are so big.

Firefighters are spraying water over the battery fire to cool down the vehicles, which contains a lot of energy in a small amount of space, making it difficult to extinguish.

Around 50 firefighters are responding to the fire.

A Tesla Semi crashed and caught fire on a California highway, closing the highway for most of the day.

The incident occurred on I-80 near Nevada, and firefighters had to douse the truck with thousands of gallons of water to cool its lithium-ion EV battery pack down to a manageable temperature.

The driver of the Semi was taken to a hospital after walking away from the crash, and authorities are now investigating the cause, including whether the driver had fallen asleep.

The Tesla Semi was operated by Tesla, which often uses the class 8 commercial truck to haul freshly made EV batteries from the Gigafactory to its Fremont, California car manufacturing plant.

The Semi was not pulling a trailer at the time of the crash, so it seems the Semi's own batteries were burning.

It's not the first time big Tesla batteries have caught fire in California, with the company's Megawatt energy storage batteries going aflame at a local utility in 2022, shutting down part of a highway.

The highway was fully reopened after 7PM, with the crew finally able to move what was left of the Semi to Tesla's Gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada.

Four semis went up in flames at the Nikola Corporation headquarters in Phoenix, requiring a large response from firefighters.

Firefighters are battling a tough fire, as the electric semis are difficult to extinguish due to the energy-packed batteries.

Typically, crews would use sand to put out this type of fire, but that's not an option here because the semis are too big.

Firefighters are spraying water as much as they can to cool down the vehicles and prevent the fire from spreading.

Around 50 firefighters are responding to the scene.