A massive fire ripped through an industrial area in Compton, California before dawn on Friday, February 26, 2021, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the sky. Fire crews responded to the scene just after 4:45 am to find that the flames had engulfed a commercial complex that included a bus transportation business.

Officials say that the fire broke out in a pallet yard, and spread to an adjacent bus yard. Multiple structures were reduced to rubble, and at least a dozen buses were burned, several which appear to be a total loss.

While the cause of the Compton fire is still under investigation, the resulting damage is a stark reminder of the importance yard and crisis management. To contain and mitigate the negative effects of a yard fire at your operation, please consider the following:

Separate vehicles in your yard to the best of your ability based on available space to help reduce fire spreading from vehicle to vehicle
Park vehicles away from buildings, whenever possible, to help lessen the likelihood of a fire spreading from building(s) to vehicle(s)
Keep any combustible materials, including shrubbery, trees and dry grass, away from vehicles and structures, particularly in areas prone to wildfires
Position vehicles as far away as practicable from power lines
Implement policies and procedures to help prevent such fires from occurring at your facility, and make sure your employees know what to do if there is a fire
Review and, if needed, update your company’s crisis management plan (or develop one if you haven’t already done so) to identify current threats, minimize their likelihood, and improve your company’s response
Maintain proper insurance coverage, including adequate limits, on all vehicles; consult with your insurance broker and carrier to ensure that you are adequately protected
Consult with your local fire department for more ways to help prevent yard fires at your facility.