Missouri IA Response Engine Vehicle Fire 2026

On January 12, 2026, an engine from the Hiawatha National Forest was enroute to the Sligo Fire, located on the Mark Twain National Forest, an approximate 20-30 minute drive. The engine’s occupants felt a slight vibration. The driver decided they would pull off at the next exit to check the driveline. However, the vibration became worse before making it there. Within the next ten seconds, multiple loud bangs occurred. The two crew members felt the engine jump like something hit the bottom of the truck, and black smoke started to fill its cab. The driver stopped the engine on the side of the busy highway. A chase truck behind noted that debris had fallen from under the engine, followed by smoke and visible fire. The fire extinguisher from the chase truck was successfully employed to put out the fire. The hot debris had also started a fire on the side of the highway, which the local fire department and the Forest Service crewmembers suppressed. It was determined that the driveshaft under the engine had broken from the transfer case and became wrapped in wiring. Sparking wires then ignited hot transmission fluid and fuel.