Prevent wildfires with smart and safe ATV/UTV practices

Oct 17, 2024
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Key safety practices for ATV and UTV operators

The risk of wildfires in North Dakota has prompted state agencies to call on ATV and UTV operators to prioritize fire safety. These tips can easily be followed by all ATV and UTV riders.

Angie Johnson, a safety coordinator at NDSU Extension, emphasizes the importance of vigilance, stating, "All it takes is one spark to start a fire." This underscores the need for operators to engage in preventative measures actively.

Riding responsibly involves adhering to several safety practices. Operators should ensure that their vehicles do not have any loose chains or metal parts that could strike rocks and spark a fire. It is also essential to monitor tire pressure to avoid driving on rims, which can produce sparks. Keeping off tall, dry grass and ensuring that brake pads are not worn down to metal are additional precautions that can prevent fires.

Maintaining the vehicle's spark arrester is critical to preventing sparks from escaping the exhaust system. Operators are encouraged to carry tools like shovels and fire extinguishers when riding in areas with a high risk of fire.

Regular vehicle cleaning is also vital in fire prevention. Angie Johnson advises thorough cleanings to remove flammable materials like dried leaves and twigs from undercarriages and frames. These cleanings also provide an opportunity to inspect the vehicle for any issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Photo Credit: Bobcat Company

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.