News Release

Two vehicle fires extinguished by bystanders

Date: May 30, 2025
Contact: Abby Wines
Contact: e-mail us

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Two separate vehicle fires occurred recently in Death Valley National Park, both of which were extinguished by quick-thinking bystanders using available tools.  

In the first incident on Tuesday, May 20, a motorcycle belonging to a Death Valley employee caught fire while he was attempting to start the engine. The fire was caused by a fuel leak that the owner believed he had repaired the previous day. At the time, the National Park Service’s fire engine was approximately 35 miles away, responding to a tractor-trailer crash and diesel spill. The motorcycle’s owner emptied a small fire extinguisher, then got help. Park rangers used two additional fire extinguishers to reduce the flames. They then utilized a garden hose connected to a spigot and a fire hose from a hydrant to fully extinguish the fire. 

On Saturday, May 24, around 7:45 PM, a separate incident occurred at Dantes View, a popular viewpoint that sees thousands of visitors each year. An SUV was emitting smoke from its engine as it arrived. Other travelers quickly reacted by pouring ice and water from their coolers onto the engine, successfully extinguishing the small fire. Fortunately, the burn damage was limited to one section of the engine compartment. 

In contrast, the owners of another vehicle that caught fire at Dantes View last summer were not as fortunate, as their vehicle was completely engulfed in flames.