April 2015 Safety Tips

ATV Facts/Safety Tips:

The exhaust system of an ATV can heat up to temperatures in excess of 200 degrees Celsius. At these temperatures, grass and muskeg can ignite, causing a wildfire. Do your part to prevent OHV wildfires… Before you ride, inspect your ATV, and clear out any debris that has built up near the exhaust or other hotspots.

After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any potential fire starting debris from around your exhaust.

Always carry a small fire extinguisher, collapsible pail and shovel on your ATV. Make sure you extinguish any campfires you have when you are out riding.

How OHVs start wildfires?

When riders travel through wet areas, muskeg can build up on the exhaust and next to engine hot spots. As the rider travels, the muskeg dries out and is ignited by the hot engine. These burning pieces of muskeg then fall off the OHV, into dry grass, causing a wildfire.

Avoid riding in wet areas. If you do ride in a wet area, stop and remove all debris from your engine and hotspots before it can dry out, heat up and cause a wildfire.

Did you Know?

• Over 30 wildfires are started by OHVs each year in Alberta’s forest protection area
• Some of these have resulted in very large, and expensive wildfires, and some have threatened homes and communities
• Most OHV fires happen in the spring, when the snow has melted, and there is an abundance of dry grass in the forest

Be a safe and responsible rider!