We have another report of a fire caused by a railroad. From The Latest:
The Superior [Montana] Fire Department responded to a fire along the MRL tracks west of Town on Tuesday morning. Montana Rail Link has a pile of old, creosote impregnated ties piled along the track at Spring Gulch. This pile is approximately 1,000 feet long and several feet high. A train used to grind down the rails had recently passed the area and sparks from the grinding operations apparently ignited the pile. Heavy clouds of black smoke were visible from the interstate.
After knocking down the blaze with water and foam, crews were able to get close enough to remove ties on both sides of the burning section so that the fire did not spread to the entire pile. Approximately 10 air bottles, 20 gallons of foam and 3000 gallons of water were used. MRL personnel provided assistance at the scene and a crew from Superior Ranger District was also on scene. With limited manpower available in Superior on a weekday, Frenchtown Rural Fire District provided a coverage crew for Superior.
Congratulations to the Superior FD for 1) using breathing apparatus while dealing with that nasty creosote smoke, and 2) for building a fireline on both sides of the burning section of ties so that the entire pile did not burn. Too often you hear about huge piles of burning tires, logs, or pallets, when firefighters attempt to put out the fire only with water, when removing some of the fuel ahead of the fire could keep it from spreading. Take it from an old Hot Shot who has removed a lot of fuel with a Pulaski and a chain saw.
Wildfire Today has reported on a lot of fires caused by railroads.
