A massive truck loaded with wood caught fire on a rural road near route 26 in the department of Paysandú, prompting a swift response from firefighters, police, and emergency teams from UPM and Montes del Plata. The incident unfolded on a Wednesday afternoon, with the driver noticing the truck’s engine was overworking due to a brake blockage, which caused one of the wheels to overheat and ignite in a matter of seconds.
Imagine driving down a long, winding road, the smell of smoke filling the air, and suddenly, your vehicle is engulfed in flames. That’s what happened to the truck driver, who quickly grabbed two high-capacity fire extinguishers from the truck and attempted to put out the fire. However, the flames were too powerful, and the heat from the melted tires and plastics soon had the wood cargo ablaze. The temperature in the area became so intense that it was impossible to stand within 20 meters of the burning trailer.
Firefighting Efforts
A team of firefighters from the Paysandú station rushed to the scene, and a helicopter from a local forestry company joined the effort, dropping water from a helibucket directly onto the fire. The lack of wind and the humidity from recent rains helped contain the blaze. The quick response from emergency teams ensured the fire was brought under control without any casualties or additional losses.
The incident highlights the importance of rapid response and collaboration in emergency situations.
Key Factors in Containing the Fire
- Absence of wind, which prevented the fire from spreading
- Humidity from recent rains, which helped reduce the fire’s intensity
- Swift response from emergency teams, including firefighters and forestry company personnel
The combination of these factors allowed the teams to prevent the fire from turning into a larger forest fire, which could have had devastating consequences for the surrounding area.
