Car Ignites After Parking on Leaves, Officials Warn Residents

A car fire in Raleigh on November 17 has put a spotlight on a common but overlooked hazard as the region moves into the holiday season. According to reporting by WRAL, the Raleigh Fire Department is investigating the exact cause of the blaze, and officials say the vehicle was parked atop a pile of dry leaves when the fire began. Fire leaders across the Triangle are using the incident to warn residents to take extra precautions.

Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos has emphasized that the heat of vehicle components can exceed 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, making dry leaves ideal tinder when they collect under cars. Durham Fire Department activity in November illustrates the scope of the problem. The department responded to 11 brush fires, seven vehicle fires, and two freighter transport vehicle fires this month, and several of the vehicle incidents began when leaves ignited under hot vehicle parts.

Raleigh fire leadership has pointed to seasonal conditions that increase risk. Raleigh Fire Division Chief Robert Hodge identified high winds and low humidity as contributing factors this fall, noting that those conditions can make any small ignition spread faster than usual. With a dry spell continuing in the region, fire officials have urged residents to avoid parking where leaves have piled up, to refrain from outdoor burning while conditions remain dry, and to maintain general vigilance around vehicles and yards.

The local implications for Wake County are practical and immediate. Many residents park on residential streets, leave cars outside overnight, or store vehicles near piles of raked leaves. Lawns that border streets or driveways can accumulate leaf drifts that go unnoticed until a vehicle is parked directly above them. During holiday gatherings and increased travel, more cars and more activity in neighborhoods can raise the chance of accidental ignition and place homes and property at greater risk.

Fire departments recommend simple preventive actions to reduce the danger. Clearing leaves away from driveways and parking areas, disposing of collected leaves promptly, and avoiding outdoor burning when weather is dry are all measures officials have stressed. Keeping vehicles well maintained and avoiding long idling over piles of debris can also reduce the likelihood of heat transfer that could ignite dry material.

The Raleigh Fire Department continues its investigation into the November 17 fire, while Triangle fire services are urging heightened awareness as the region experiences dry conditions and holiday related activity increases. Residents should consider checking yards and parking spots for leaf buildup and acting now to reduce a preventable risk as winter approaches.