Semi-Truck Tire Blowout Sparks Brush Fire South of Bishop

Semi-Truck Tire Blowout Sparks Brush Fire South of Bishop

Along northbound Highway 395, across from the golf course, a semi-truck blows back tire, maintains control but skids along shoulder causing sparks and a small brush fire

At around 11am on Tuesday, April 15, the siren blew as Inyo County Sheriff and Bishop Fire responded to a reported “vehicle” and “brush” fire at the Bishop Country Club.

The actual accident and fire took place across the road, along northbound Highway 395, just south of Sunland Indian Reservation Road.

The semi-truck had blown both back right tires and, according to the driver, pulled incredibly hard off the road to his right. He was able to keep it under control and upright but the rims of the blown tires caused enough sparks to catch some brush just off the shoulder.

The affected area was not particularly large as the response from our Fire Department was immediate with a water truck called out and right in tow.

Crews worked to create a good sized defensible space and ensure ever ember was soaked, turned over, and fully extinguished. You could see how tough the soil was from the effort of the crews taking swings at it.

The driver of the semi-truck was ok and in generally good spirits after seeing that the risk of fire had been taken care of, just catching his breath trying to get the bolts off the damaged parts.

The winds were mild which helped with suppression efforts, as we all know the valley weather can dust up pretty bad on blustery days.

The road was only partially blocked for about an hour, according to what I saw on scene and as reported through the Inyo Sheriff’s Facebook alerts.

MGraham