March 19, 2024

Truckers reminded to check brakes after rig catches fire on descent

Steve Smith

Truckers reminded to check brakes after rig catches fire on descent

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminded truckers to use caution when traversing downhill grades after a big rig caught fire due to overheated brakes on Interstate 80.

What happened: On March 18, the incident prompted the CHP to stress the importance of effective compression braking and regular brake checks, especially after the Blue Canyon exit on I-80 West.

The CHP advised truckers to:

Not rely solely on their brakes on long descents to avoid overheating, which can lead to fires.
Perform brake system checks at designated areas like the Blue Canyon brake check to ensure safety.

Despite the fire, there were no reports of injuries or casualties from this specific incident.

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