Safety Tip: Vehicle Fire Prevention and Response
State Farm offers advice on how to spot warning signs of vehicle fire risk, and the National Safety Council provides tips on what to do if a fire starts while you're driving.

A tow truck operator prepares to tow away a fire-damaged car from a California freeway. Automotive Fleet photo.

A tow truck operator prepares to tow away a fire-damaged car from a California freeway. Automotive Fleet photo.
In 2015, firefighters responded to 174,000 car fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Since Oct. 8-14 is National Fire Prevention Week this year, now is a good time to review the warning signs of potential fire risk in vehicles.
State Farm recommends that drivers look for these red flags:
Fuses that blow repeatedly
Spilled oil under the hood left over from an oil change
Oil or other fluid leaks under the vehicle
Cracked or loose wiring, or wiring with exposed metal
Very loud sounds from the exhaust system
Rapid changes in fuel level, oil levels or engine temperature
A missing cap from the oil filter
Broken or loose hoses.
The National Safety Council recommends these measures if you smell smoke or see flames coming from your vehicle while you’re driving:
Signal and immediately move to the closest safe place to stop, whether that’s a side lane or a median.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the ignition.
Get every person out of the vehicle, and don’t allow anyone to go back to retrieve personal items.
Move far from the burning vehicle to avoid the flames and toxic fumes — at least 100 feet — and also keep bystanders back.
Call 911.
Alert oncoming traffic if possible.
More Safety

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It
AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.
Read More →
How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety
During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
