Fire

Why you need an extinguisher

- Micky Baker

Fire. It’s a vital component of any overlanding journey. Internal combustion powers your 4x4; and more often than not, fire cooks your meals out in the wilderness.

On the other hand, fire can be the cause of your journey’s untimely end. Unfortunately, while we are all too eager to stock up on gas bottles, jerry cans and firewood, we often overlook the absolute necessity of having fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers are not too expensive to purchase and are widely available in many retail outlets. It is also simple enough to mount a fire extinguisher in your cab, or to stash it alongside your recovery equipment.

However, there are a few factors you’ll need to consider first, and we’ve listed these below.

How do fires start?

There are several causes; and in each case, you need to put out any fire as soon as possible to avoid terminal vehicle damage and any threat to life. Overheating and fuel leaks are a core cause, as are electrical shorts. Fires in tents and around campsites are not that uncommon, either. Be prepared.

When overlanding, there is another present danger. While travelling through areas of long grass like the Marienfluss, or even a dry, grassy field on your neighbour’s farm, disaster can strike when seeds and strands of dry plant material get caught underneath your car. Heat from the exhaust can ignite this material, which will burn upwards, engulfing the vehicle in short order.

It is a good idea to stop every half hour to check, and to clear out any debris build-up with a ready-to-hand piece of wire with a hook on the end.

Rubbing between Jerry cans carrying fuel is a source of static electricity, right next to a flammable substance. Put rubber inner-tube chafing stops between cans to prevent this.