DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK — Park officials are urging commercial truck drivers to exercise added caution on State Route 190 through Death Valley National Park, particularly on the steep descent from Towne Pass, following a tractor-trailer fire earlier this month.
The fire broke out at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after the truck’s brakes overheated during the roughly 5,000-foot descent from Towne Pass. The eastbound driver was able to detach the tractor from the trailer, preventing a potential spill of emulsified asphalt, before the tractor became fully engulfed in flames.
Park records show eight tractor-trailer fires on that stretch of SR-190 over the past three years, underscoring what officials describe as a recurring safety concern.
“Commercial truck drivers should know about the steep grade well before they reach Towne Pass,” said Abby Wines, deputy superintendent. “Drivers need to determine whether their vehicle and load are appropriate for this route and, if necessary, choose an alternate route.”
The park is urging commercial drivers to properly maintain their vehicles, use appropriate braking techniques and understand the demands of the route before entering Death Valley National Park.
Current road conditions and travel information are available at the park’s Alerts & Conditions page.
Source: NPS news release dated Sept. 15, 2026