Yuba County group reuses old fire hoses to stop chains from sparking fires

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A Yuba County nonprofit organization is using a creative approach in an effort to decrease the risk of wildfires in the foothills that could be sparked by dragging tow chains. The unique solution comes from repurposing a piece of unusable fire equipment.

“A lot of people don’t even know that a dragging chain can cause a fire,” said Smartsville Fire Protection District Captain Glen Ford. “They need to properly secure them and if they have the wherewithal, they can go to their local fire department and get used fire hose that go over the chains.”

The Smartsville Fire Protection District is one of the distribution sites for the Yuba Watershed Protection and Fire Safe Council’s “No Spark” Tow Chain Program. The program repurposes fire hoses, turning them into chain covers for people who need tow trailers and boats behind their vehicles.

The nonprofit organization works to educate community members about fire mitigation and watershed protection efforts. They launched the program after learning the danger even a small spark from a dragging chain can have in starting a wildfire. Assistant Cal Fire NEU Chief Landon Haack said this is something they see time and time again in the lower elevations. He said sparks flying from a dragging chain or a rim off its tire can cause dangerous sparks in grasslands. Haack said any effort to minimize the potential of that happening is appreciated by the agency. Johnny Escalante has owned boats for the better part of 20 years.

“You can go up the river and find nice beaches. It’s super peaceful,” he said.

Escalante said he keeps a close eye on the chains when he’s towing, ensuring they are tight enough not to drag on the ground.

“I never really thought about the fire issue,” he said. “Fire out here is a major issue.”The team with the Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council wants everyone who tows to know the risk, which is why the nonprofit started its tow chain cover program several years ago.

The Yuba Water Agency supports those efforts by assisting the group with funding, distribution and marketing.

“It only takes that one tiny spark and you can really do significant damage,” said DeDe Cordell, a spokesperson for the Yuba Water Agency. “It’s about reducing the risk to our communities and to our watershed. We can never 100% guarantee that there won’t be a fire.”

Cordell thanked the organization for their efforts.

“No Spark” tow chain covers are available at:

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