A Hillside man now faces charges stemming from a wildfire outbreak that authorities say began with an ill-fated drive on a metal rim. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of the Kirkland Fire, which started near Bagdad Road last Friday, following a crash involving the man's pickup truck.
After the crash, which caused a blowout to a tire, deputies alleged that the driver persisted nearly three miles toward his home. His vehicle's bare rim made contact with the asphalt, shooting sparks and igniting flames along the way. "Instead of stopping, he allegedly continued driving toward his home. The sparks from the metal rim grinding against the asphalt are thought to have started multiple fires along the roadside," officials stated on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
Charges against the suspect include DUI, reckless burning, and endangerment, and he was arrested in connection with the wildfire that has since grown. By Monday morning, the blaze had scorched over 900 acres and was at 35% containment, as ABC 15 reports.
In light of the incident, Yavapai County officials are underscoring the severe fire hazard conditions in the area. Sgt. Jack Mattox of YCSO highlighted the importance of vigilance and immediate action if a vehicle is compromised, stating, "It's important that people pay attention to just how bad the fire hazards are with our conditions," and added, "Always pull over immediately if your vehicle is damaged or not safe to operate." The suspect's name has not yet been released by the YCSO. Meanwhile, the overlapping region of Hillside and Yava continues on "SET" status in preparation for possible evacuations.
The closure of Bagdad Road, as detailed by the Sheriff's Office, affected the stretch between mile post 25 and 22. Local residents were urged to find alternate routes.
