I WAS DRIVING OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR NORTHWOODS EDITION FROM THE SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT ON 12-24-06 WHEN THE VAN BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE CAME INTO THE CAR AS I TURNED ON THE HEATER. I PULLED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED 911. WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS FULLY ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. I BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RIGHT FRONT NEAR THE DASHBOARD,THE FIRE CAME THROUGH THE FIREWALL AT THAT POINT, AND THAT IS WHERE THE SMOKE STARTED AND THE FLAME FIRST CAME OUT AND WHERE THE MOST INTENSE DAMAGE IS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR IS TOTALED AND WE ARE NOW WITHOUT A MUCH NEEDED VEHICLE. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR STATED THIS WAS THE THIRD FORD WINDSTAR IN THIS AREA TO BURN LIKE THIS.