Off-highway vehicle safety

Overview

Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) have exhaust systems that get hotter than 200°C. At these temperatures, built-up materials (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite.

These can fall to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire.

Wildfire prevention steps

You can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps.

• Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
• After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
• Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
• Wash your OHV and keep it clean – do not wash in streams and creeks.
• Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
• Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.
• For more information, see Off-highway vehicles: Wildfire prevention tips.

What is an off-highway vehicle

OHVs include:

• all-terrain vehicles
• quads
• side-by-sides
• dirt bikes
• jeeps
• pickup trucks

• sport utility vehicles
• snowmobiles
• trikes
• other vehicles designed for travelling off public roads and on unpaved trails and rough terrain

Contact

Forest area office contacts

Information line: 1-866-394-3473 (FYI-FIRE)
Media inquiries: 780-420-1968
Email: [email protected]

Download the Alberta Wildfire app