GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Goodyear is unveiling its pilot program aimed at preventing trash truck fires, which officials say have been sparked by improperly discarded lithium-ion and rechargeable batteries.

So far this year, the city has recorded three trash truck fires. The incidents can cause major property damage, put drivers at risk and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment repairs or replacements, according to Solid Waste Superintendent Adam Kurtz.

"Any one of these trucks costs anywhere from $400,000 to $500,000 to replace," Kurtz said. "When one goes out of service, it puts us at a disadvantage for providing the service, especially since we only have seven trucks."

The city’s new system uses two types of heat sensors installed in the hopper of each truck. The technology acts

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