Truck fire disrupts traffic in Death Valley delivering chickpeas

In California's Death Valley National Park, a truck transporting 44,000 pounds of chickpeas experienced a significant fire incident while navigating Daylight Pass and Mud Canyon Road, which are prohibited for commercial truck traffic. This alarming event occurred on the morning of November 21, around 5:30 a.m., following a brake overheating issue during the vehicle’s descent. The truck driver, after noticing the fire, managed to pull over on CA-190, where multiple agencies arrived promptly to respond to the incident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. The National Park Service, which oversees the park, expressed their concern about the potential hazardous materials that might be released into the ecosystem during such incidents. Death Valley, known as the driest area in North America, has specific environmental conditions that complicate the introduction of foreign materials. Superintendent Mike Reynolds reassured the public that while stray chickpeas might pose a visual issue, the likelihood of them becoming invasive species is minimal. This incident returns to the spotlight the broader issue of truck safety in sensitive and regulated areas such as national parks. In response to the aftermath, Two Star Towing handled the removal of the burnt truck and the cleanup operation for the spilled chickpeas, ensuring that the park’s grounds remained undisturbed by this unfortunate event. Similar incidents involving truck fires in the park have been reported throughout the year, prompting conversations about driver education and safety protocols. California Highway Patrol spokesperson Torey Michener noted that many truck fires can be attributed to driver errors, such as improper braking techniques. Abby Wines, also from Death Valley National Park, highlighted the importance of educating truck drivers about how to manage their vehicles in such challenging terrains to prevent future occurrences. The park aims to maintain both visitor safety and environmental integrity while balancing the needs of transportation through its expansive landscape. Moving forward, park officials are likely to emphasize the importance of safety measures and regulations specific to commercial truck traffic to mitigate risks associated with transport in sensitive natural areas.