AUBURN, CA (MPG) - In a proactive step to reduce the risk of brake-related fires along Interstate 80, Placer County District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson has brought together key public safety and transportation partners to address this growing concern and protect foothill and mountain communities along the heavily traveled corridor.

A series of collaborative meetings have been held over the past nine months with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Caltrans, the California Trucking Association, CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service and the Placer Sierra Firesafe Council. The effort aims to improve brake safety awareness and reduce the frequency of dangerous brake fires, which threaten communities nestled along Interstate-80 (I-80).

“We must enhance safety precautions and increase awareness among truck drivers traveling I-80,” said Gustafson. “Brake fires not only endanger the drivers themselves but pose a serious wildfire threat to our small, vulnerable foothill and mountain communities. We’re taking coordinated action to protect lives, property and the natural beauty of our region.”

Several small mountain communities dot the landscape along I-80 between Colfax and Truckee including Emigrant Gap, Blue Canyon, Cisco Grove, Soda Springs, Dutch Flat and Alta. A wildfire that threatened Dutch Flat in Oct. 2024 brought the concern over brake-related fires to the forefront and spurred Gustafson’s office to initiate the muti-agency partnership.

According to reports from the California Highway Patrol out of Gold Run, there were 60 truck/vehicle fires in 2024 that were primarily located on westbound I-80 on the descending grade from Emigrant Gap to Colfax.

As part of this initiative, the California Trucking Association (CTA) is launching a brake safety education campaign to bring awareness to mandatory brake checks for truckers. June 16 will mark the beginning of CTA’s Brake Safety Awareness Week, which is designed to target commercial truck drivers.

CTA, in coordination with CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire and CHP, will also host a webinar June 19 that will provide truckers with vital information on brake inspection strategies, managing overheated brakes in designated brake check areas and preventative maintenance tips.

"This time of year, it doesn’t take much to set dry roadside brush on fire,” said Eric Sauer, CEO of the California Trucking Association. "Safety is a top priority for our CTA members, so we want to prepare them with the best information to avoid brake fires. This webinar plays an important part in that effort."

Participants are encouraged to register for the webinar in advance.

In parallel with the brake safety efforts, Gustafson has strongly advocated for additional fuel reduction along I-80, a major concern as California enters the height of wildfire season. Caltrans is now actively conducting fuel break and vegetation management work between Colfax and Blue Canyon. Crews have been working to remove surface and ladder fuels from the following locations:

Heather Glenn Dr./Hwy 80

Colfax Hwy 174/80

Gold Run Exit/Hwy 80

Gold Run Rest Area Hwy 80

Dutch Flat Rd Exit/Hwy 80

Baxter Rd Exit/Hwy 80

Crystal Spring Rd Exit/Hwy 80

Drum Forebay Rd Exit/Hwy 80

Hwy 80/Landis Circle

Hwy 193/80

CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department Chief Brian Estes emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and prevention.

“Preventing wildfires along the I-80 corridor requires a united effort,” said Estes. “Everyone, from truck drivers to state agencies to local communities, must take preventative measures to ensure that a spark from a brake fire doesn’t become a devastating wildfire in our beautiful Sierra Nevada.”

“CAL FIRE has been fantastic at responding to these incidents very rapidly along with our CHP officers,” said Gold Run CHP Lt. Frank Newman. “Caltrans has also been working diligently to clear dead trees and foliage to reduce fuels along westbound I-80. Hopefully, our combined efforts will make a big difference this year.”

Not only do brake fires threaten our communities and the Sierra but they also cause significant economic loss when the corridor is shut down and truck deliveries are delayed.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors and public safety agencies will continue to support education, enforcement and mitigation efforts along I-80 to keep the region safe during fire season and beyond.