KNOLLS, Tooele County -- Fire crews said Thursday they were able to quickly stop a fire on Interstate 80 that threatened multiple high-end sports cars inside a trailer, as they cautioned Memorial Day travelers to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained before heading out on the roads.
According to North Tooele Fire District firefighter Jon Smith, crews responded to westbound Interstate 80 near mile marker 35 in the West Desert on a report of a fire that had sparked underneath the right rear axle of an enclosed trailer.
When firefighters from North Tooele Fire District as well as the Utah Test and Training Range arrived, they found flames showing on the trailer with markings suggesting it was carrying racing Ferraris.
"Things like brakes, things like tire debris, stuff gets under there, the rotors can get hot and those can ignite and start small fires," Smith explained during an interview with KSL TV.
Smith said crews were able to get on top of the flames quickly and were able to contain them mostly to the trailer itself.
He said the damage to the sports cars was uncertain, but it appeared there was at least some smoke damage.
The exact cause of the fire was under investigation, he said.
The fire came as travelers were starting to head out to parts unknown for the Memorial Day weekend.
Smith said it was a good time to remind drivers to make sure their vehicles were properly maintained, since sometimes fires can happen by accident even under the best of circumstances.
"Make sure that your brakes aren't getting too hot, make sure you're not dragging any chains, make sure you're not throwing any cigarettes out the window," Smith added. "Make sure if you do overheat or you have some sort of automotive problem (that) when you pull off to the side of the road, you're not pulling into that dry grass. Make sure you're pulling off into a clear, safe area so you don't start a fire."
Smith said fires sparked by vehicles on highways in remote areas are always a growing concern during the summer months.
He also wanted people to recognize that if there is a car problem in a remote area, it can take a long time for first responders to get there.
"You have 100 miles of pretty much uninterrupted straight-line terrain," Smith said of the West Desert. "If something happens out there on mile marker 50, mile marker 40, mile marker 30, you're going to be waiting for fire crews from Stansbury Park to respond," Smith said.