Off-highway vehicle safety

Off-highway vehicles

Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) include:

• all-terrain vehicles
• quads
• side-by-sides
• dirt bikes
• jeeps
• pickup trucks

• sport utility vehicles
• snowmobiles
• trikes
• other vehicles designed for travelling off public roads and on unpaved trails and rough terrain

Safety

Debris falling from these vehicles have been known to cause wildfires.

• Exhaust systems heat up to temperatures in excess of 200°C.
• At these temperatures, built up materials and debris on your machine (such as grass, muskeg, moss, or other debris) can heat up, smoulder and ignite.
• The smouldering debris can drop to the ground as you are riding, starting a wildfire.

For more information, see Off-highway vehicles: Wildfire prevention tips.

Reduce the risk

You can reduce the risk of your vehicle causing a wildfire by following these simple steps.

• Before you ride, clean out hot spots and remove debris from your machine.
• After riding through muskeg or tall grass, stop and remove any build-up from your machine.
• Carry firefighting equipment such as a small shovel, collapsible pail or fire extinguisher.
• Wash your OHV and keep it clean; do not wash in streams and creeks.
• Make sure your muffler and spark arrestor are working properly.
• Stop frequently. Take the time to knock debris from your machine’s hot spots. If the debris is smouldering, soak it, stir it, and soak it again to make sure it is extinguished.