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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 15, 2022 10:00:05 GMT -8
I was crossing a local bridge and on the other side of the barrier there was a cluster if emergency vehicles. As I passed I could see a medium sized suv that has totally burned out from front to rear, no paint, no glass in the windows.
An equipment requirement for on sand travel at a favorite NJ state park (Island Beach) includes, beyond the obvious traction and retrieval things, a fire extinguisher so it’s been a consideration.
I’ve a battery jump pack, traction ramps, tire inflator, rough terrain jack etc. maybe I should add a fire extinguisher?
Thoughts? Recommendations?
Who’s got one? Why?
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Dec 15, 2022 10:18:40 GMT -8
So, having deployed a fire extinguisher for a small kitchen fire before, the key to their effectiveness is having it easily and safely accessible in the event of a fire. I don't know where that would be in a car. If I sensed that my car was on fire, I would probably just stop (pull over if necessary and at all possible) and simply get out and away from the car. If my purse is next to me on the driver's seat, I might grab it on the way out. I doubt I would grope around for a fire extinguisher or attempt to go back in to get it. If I've left the key in the ignition (or, in my case, in my purse in the car), I might not even be able to get into my trunk if that's where the fire extinguisher is.
I'm guessing that, in general, there aren't any recommendations out there to equip your car with an extinguisher because it isn't worth the risk of anyone staying in or near a car on fire in order to deploy it. A kitchen fire is different because the potential of it spreading to the rest of the house is real. And a tire inflator poses very little risk to the user.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 15, 2022 10:28:04 GMT -8
I've seen 3 cars go up in flames, and nothing short of a full sized firetruck would've stopped them from complete destruction. Even if one could open the hood and use an extinguisher there, I doubt it would stop the fire.
Car fires are mostly electrical fires that spread to the gas pump, or a gasoline fire in the engine compartment. It is frightening how fast they get out of hand. Save yourself some $, and skin, and just flee with whatever you can grab. That is just one reason why I keep my phone in a cargo pocket. If I exit the car, so does my phone.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 15, 2022 11:15:56 GMT -8
zeke yes I’ve long thought the same, I’ve never gotten an answer as to why Island Beach State Park requires them, and enforces that with inspections. As to mounting, yes accessibility is a key point: out in California I usually see them mounted on the roll bar or another easily reachable location. Because otherwise, absolutely, it’s like those people who stick their bear spray in the backpack.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Dec 15, 2022 11:56:02 GMT -8
I've seen recommendations for carrying fire extinguishers when off-roading, but I think they've generally had grass fires in mind.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 15, 2022 12:16:46 GMT -8
Yes, I’ve really got to stop by their office on a visit, I mean it’s an on sand vehicle requirement.
Curiosity: so annoying.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 15, 2022 12:55:11 GMT -8
If you do buy one, the best ideas I've seen for mounting on a passenger road vehicle are either mounted behind the passenger seat where easily reached as you exit, or under the front of the driver's seat, maybe mounted to the seat adjusting bar so it slides forward and back as the seat is moved.
Going to the park webpage, I see this, which makes me think they want all vehicles out on the sand to be largely self reliant because there is no way a fire truck will get out there. Enough vehicles try to help and maybe they can control the fire:
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR A MOBILE SPORTFISHING VEHICLE (MSFV) Permits are issued to 4-wheel drive vehicle owners for fishing purposes only. Carrying the basic equipment listed is required whenever the MSFV is on the beach.
Fishing equipment and bait and tackle for each person over 12 years of age; Tire gauge; Spare tire; Workable jack and board/support for jack in sand (3/4 in. x 12 x 12 in. plywood square minimum size) Tow chain or snatch line; Shovel; Flashlight; Fire extinguisher; Auto first aid kit; Litter/trash bag; Minimum of 1/4 tank of fuel. A current tide chart is highly recommended. Jumper cables for the vehicle's specific battery type are also recommended.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 15, 2022 13:07:11 GMT -8
Also there’s an overland shop nearby where I got my rock sliders, I could ask them. I just noticed Inyo NF has a spark arrester requirement so that’s something I need to clarify.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Dec 15, 2022 13:56:45 GMT -8
One problem with vehicle fires is that they so often start in the engine compartment, making them very hard to access beyond the first moments of a fire. If I were concerned about having a fire extinguisher, I'd start with a pre-installed one in the engine compartment that could be triggered from the driver's seat. Race cars have something like that, but there may be safety issues with having a pressurized metal can constantly so close to a major heat source.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 15, 2022 14:17:50 GMT -8
Since island beach sp requires them they should have some relevant knowledge about this.
Unless as is possible the concern as mentioned is not vehicle fire but rather wildfire that might have been triggered by the vehicle (hence Inyo NF requiring spark arrestees for orv use) in consideration an immediate response offers a chance to knock down a fire while small in which case placement would be much more flexible.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Dec 17, 2022 8:24:26 GMT -8
Unless as is possible the concern as mentioned is not vehicle fire but rather wildfire that might have been triggered by the vehicle Does the park allow campfires on the beach?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Dec 17, 2022 10:12:28 GMT -8
They are, so concern over the dunes grass could be a good motive. “Fires A small fire is allowed on the beach from parking area A2 south and must be at least 50’ east of the dunes. Fire shall not be left unattended or permitted to cause damage to State Park Service facilities or areas. Fire shall be extinguished before users leave the area, and the hole filled in. There are no fires allowed from the northern park property boundary through the swim areas, no fires allowed in the Gillikin’s fishing area.” nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/islandbeachstatepark.htmlSo you’re their thinking being: carry a fire extinguisher IN your vehicle, not FOR your vehicle? That does make more sense to for off road things where protecting the resource is so very important. Dune grass is critical to the integrity of the dunes, the major storm barrier in the barrier islands.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jan 1, 2023 19:02:58 GMT -8
Car fires are mostly electrical fires Exactly. A fire extinguisher is useless. They will re-ignite until you cut the circuit. The wire in question is red hot and will melt through clothing or human flesh.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 1, 2023 20:34:39 GMT -8
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Jan 3, 2023 7:22:23 GMT -8
I've seen a number of roadside car fires. They seem to be mostly two kinds. Infernos that are likely fed by gas and electrical fires that are really just a lot of smoke from under the hood. This reflects the above statistics.
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