MileCheckCan dragging trailer chains start a wildfire?
Yes — safety chains left hanging too low scrape the pavement and throw sparks, and on a dry, windy day those sparks start roadside fires. It's one of the most common preventable wildfire causes, and it's easy to avoid.
How chains start fires
Trailer safety chains connect the trailer to the tow vehicle as a backup if the hitch fails. If they're too long or hooked so they hang low, they drag on the road as you drive — and steel on pavement throws a shower of sparks. Along a dry grassy shoulder in summer, one spark is all it takes. Fire agencies count dragging chains among the top preventable causes of roadside wildfires every year.
Cross them and keep them short
The fix is simple: cross the safety chains in an X under the trailer tongue and hook them back to the tow vehicle. Crossing them cradles the tongue if the coupler ever comes loose, and — done right — keeps the chains up off the ground. Leave just enough slack to turn corners, and no more. If a chain still drags, shorten it (twist a link or take up length on the hook) so it can't reach the pavement.
Chains aren't the only spark source
Anything metal dragging behind a vehicle can do it — a loose strap with a buckle, a dropped exhaust part, or a blown tire riding on the bare rim. A hot catalytic converter or exhaust parked over dry grass can ignite it too. On high fire-danger days, walk around your trailer before you leave and glance back now and then to be sure nothing's dragging. More on what starts roadside fires →
Know what's burning on your route
If a fire does start ahead — from any cause — you want to know before you drive into the smoke. MileCheck shows active wildfires and closures on your route in real time, tied to your exact mile marker, so you can reroute or report a new fire with a precise location. See the live wildfire map →
Know exactly where you are — live
MileCheck shows your nearest mile marker in real time as you drive, plus live DOT alerts and the nearest camera on your route. Free to start, works offline, runs on CarPlay and Android Auto.
Questions, answered
Can dragging trailer chains really start a fire?
Yes. Safety chains hanging low enough to scrape the pavement throw sparks, and on dry vegetation those sparks can ignite a wildfire. It's a leading preventable cause of roadside fires in fire-prone states.
How should trailer safety chains be attached?
Cross them in an X under the trailer tongue and connect them to the tow vehicle. Crossing cradles the tongue if the hitch fails and helps keep the chains off the ground. Leave only enough slack to turn corners.
How do I keep my trailer chains from dragging?
Shorten them so they can't reach the road — twist links, take up slack on the hook, or cross them under the tongue. Leave just enough length to turn, and check that nothing drags before you drive off.
What should I do if I see a roadside fire start?
Get to a safe distance and report it with a precise location — your mile marker and route. Apps like MileCheck show your exact mile marker and the active fires on your route so you can give responders an accurate spot.