Hot weather during summer in the desert is to be expected, but excessive heat can be harmful to more than just your skin.

It can also cause extreme damage to your car, even starting a vehicle fire that at first glance may appear to be nothing more than an overheating engine.

"We're seeing an increase in vehicle fires because of high temperatures found underneath the hood," John O'Brien, fire inspector with the Pahrump Valley Fire Rescue Service, said.

Since the beginning of the month, O'Brien estimated firefighters were putting out one or two vehicle fires a day.

At risk vehicles especially include those that are four to six years old, have 70,000 to 100,000 miles on them, do not have power steering and in which fuel lines have not properly been maintained.

"Hoses get dry and brittle, and a lot of the damage can't be seen from the outside," O'Brien said.

That can be especially dangerous when brakes that use Hydroboost or power steering fluid break.

When that happens, those flammable liquids can spray all of the manifold, causing an already bad situation to become even worse very quickly.

In addition, O'Brien reminded motorists that it is important to properly maintain a vehicle's air-conditioning unit as Freon can cause a fire as well.

Also, if purchasing Freon for your air condition, O'Brien cautions buyers to be very aware of the contents of the can.

He described one product he's seen that claims to be Freon but "is nothing but glorified propane."

If your car's radiator has an electrical fan system, it's important to maintain that as well.

Ultimately, O'Brien said, "non-maintenance" is the primary cause of vehicle fires.

"It's important to remember we live in an unforgiving environment," O'Brien said. "It's not uncommon here to see under the hood temperatures of 300 to 400 degrees."

The first signs of a vehicle fire are generally smoke coming from the hood. In the case of an electrical fire, you will generally notice a distinct smell as well.

Should this start happening to you while driving, O'Brien said you should not open the hood, as that will only give the fire more oxygen.

Instead, pull over, open the windows, and put the hood up to signify you're in distress.

Also, do not stay in the car, but stay in the shade the car offers.

O'Brien also emphasized that vehicle maintenance was a preventative measure.

"Seek out the expertise of a qualified mechanic," he said. "Use their services on a regular basis."