Fires Destroy RVs in Arizona and Texas

The RV campground in Wiseman Park, Lynchburg, Tennessee, previously operating on an honor system, now has an online booking system and marketing support. The partnership between Moore County and the South Central Tennessee Tourism Association aims to increase overnight stays. Booking one of 18 sites costs up to $40 per night, with $30 going to the county and $10 to a marketing fund. Moore County ranks last in the region for lodging options, despite over 300,000 annual visitors to Lynchburg.

RV refrigerators can pose a fire risk due to cooling unit failures. In 2001, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission documented a recall of Norcold gas and electric refrigerators because worn tubing could leak flammable gas. Dometic issued recalls on select two-door absorption refrigerators from 1997 to 2006. Similar cooling unit failures were later found in Norcold models from 2010 to 2011.

In Bandera and Bexar counties, Texas, evacuations are underway due to rising waters in the Medina River and Cibolo Creek. Bandera County Judge Evans signed an order for RV parks along the Medina River, with a forecasted rise of nearly 14 feet.

A new camping trend from the US is gaining popularity: compact travel trailers that offer RV-like comfort in a towable size. The ROG 12RK-FB by Encore RV features a pop-up bathroom, kitchen, queen bed, and heating, weighing about 1,270 kg and measuring 4.5 meters.

Plans for an RV park in Mount Hope’s Bailey’s Bottom area are on hold after city officials received a July 7 letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stating the project would likely violate restrictions on flood-buyout properties. The land is held under perpetual easements meant to restore floodplains, prohibiting buildings, vegetation alteration, and filling. A large crowd attended the July 14 city council meeting amid resident concerns over safety and transparency.

Fire crews responded to a fully involved travel trailer fire near Highway 49 and Shaws Flat Road in Sonora, California. The blaze, dubbed the Shaw Fire, produced a large smoke column and was contained without spreading to surrounding vegetation. No information is available on whether the trailer was occupied at the time.