NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V626000 Manufacturer Kia America, Inc. Components TRAILER HITCHES Potential Number of Units Affected 36,417 Summary Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moistu
Forum: RECALL LISTINGS

Recall Details Description: This recall involves mechanical heat detectors used indoors to detect elevated temperatures as part of professionally installed fire detection systems for residential homes and businesses. In residential settings, this product is installed in kitchens, attics and garages for property protection. The recalled heat detectors do not detect smoke or make an audible sou
Forum: RECALL LISTINGS

In my fire it was the grow light ballast that overheated and burned through the shelf and onto and through the floor. It was easily identifiable from the other ballasts in use since it was deformed from interior heating and showed signs of case decomposition. The other ballasts in the same area did not have this appearance and were mostly undamaged. The lighting system components need to be
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Metal sparks are a common cause of wildfires in California, mainly due to equipment use during the hot dry Mediterranean Summer weather pattern. The most important requirement for this type of ignition is the receptive fuel bed. Sparks are generated of different sizes but usually possess heat values greater than the 450 deg F. required to ignite cellulose fuels. The dryness of the fuel, hea
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Came up with this link using a google search of "falling snow breaks gas line causing fire" Many more articles came up as well.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Another lost art in the modern fire investigation environment is the ability to talk to people. As investigators many years before me have said "You need to get off your butt and knock on doors to solve cases." Just interviewing those witnesses that happen to be at the fire scene or associated with the property does not a complete investigation make. The investigator needs to look and
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

The fire dept has the right, and expectation, to investigate all fires for origin and cause. This is accomplished under the exigent circumstance exception of the warrant requirement, but has to occur at the time of the fire or immediatley afterward. During that investigative process is where probable cause is developed. Once a crime is suspected, and it doens't have to be arson(indoor
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Michigan vs Clifford is the other case that deals with search warrants and fire investigations, probably more applicable to the case you mention.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

It is hard to answer your question adequately without the facts of the case and the investigation process used. I would first suggest reading the case law on Michigan vs Tyler. This will give you the background on the need for search warrants for fire investigations that are suspected arson, especially if owners are the suspects.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Below is a link to a 2013 USFS study on the subject. Bottom line is, yes they can if they impact the right object.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Based on my convert program it says 0.023 inches equals 584.2 micrometers.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

In a more direct answer to your question I can't point to a specific text defining distances of travel limitations. In my experience there are to many variables such as particle size, height of release (railroad locomotive or elevated raodway), force at release (strong vehicle back fire or dislodged due to raod bump), wind conditions, etc.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I will list two sites that deal with this issue. The first is: An Introduction to Spark Arrestors SPARK ARRESTERS AND THE PREVENTION OF WILDLAND FIRES This lists relevant research papers on the topic. The second is a site that has the current spark arrestor requirements for engines as approved by the US Forest Service. This is also the guide used to enforce California exhaust requir
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I am assuming that the loader was not parked next to a burning structure or other heavy burning material and was only exposed to a passing grass fire.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

In my experience of vehicles or equipment being ignited by burning vegetation, it is not usually the tires that are first ignited. A front end loader is usually pretty well used and abused during its life of service. This requires much lubrication to the front end and bucket area, along with replacement of hydraulic hoses, leaking fluid etcetera. I believe your origin would be the excess
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I don't think it is fair to just pick on us lowly public fire investigators that are also cops. Expectation Bias is prevalent in all fields. Its called paying for a report that says what you want it to. If you develop a new drug, medical device, vehicle, etc. this item my be shopped around for the a review that most helps the developer or project proposer. What about the false convic
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Usually it is when the vehicle is just driving down the road. If the vehicle pulled into the dry grass or vegetation the fire cause would more likely be from direct contact with the hot catalytic converter or exhaust system. I have had a case of a mini van driving in the backwoods on a two track lane that had vegetation about a foot tall between the tracks. During the drive, dry vegetation
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I've investigated many of these fires and catalytic converter pieces are taught as an ignition source in the FI-210 Wildland Fire Investigation Class sanction by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). It is quite common but not usually associated with normal operation of the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter has usually been damaged by improper fueling of the engine or an
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

You may want to look at the Railroad Fire Prevention Field Guide published by the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). It goes over the most common causes of fire starts from trains. Very informative on what to look for. Heres the link.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations