Train Engulfed in Canadian Wildfire Flames

A CN Rail crew found themselves in a precarious situation when their freight train was surrounded by flames from a wildfire in northwest Ontario. At least 134 wildfires have been burning in the area, and the train was briefly encased in flames while stopped on the tracks.

The train appears to have been stopped to allow an oncoming train to pass, which it does toward the end of a dramatic video capturing the incident. Flames surround the left side of the locomotive, prompting the crew member recording the video to make a radio call saying, “OK, y’all need to hurry up here, like, seriously. We’re encased in flames now.”

Fortunately, the fire moves quickly and barely touches the locomotive, whose body and air conditioning save the crew’s lives. The short oncoming train passes, and the video ends presumably as the crew makes their escape.

A CN Rail spokesperson told officials that all employees in the area were evacuated overnight Monday. CN has temporarily suspended rail operations near Armstrong, ON as a precaution due to wildfire activity in the area.

The spokesperson said in an email, “As a safety measure, CN employees in the area and residents of the Town of Armstrong were evacuated overnight.” The incident has raised questions about why the train was sent through the area in the first place, given the severe wildfire conditions.

Paul Boucher, President of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, commended the courage and professionalism of the crew members but criticized CN for sending the train down the lines. “CN should never have sent a train down those lines,” he said. “The company knows exactly how bad the situation is in that region.”

Three other trains carrying combustible and flammable materials were stranded near Collins First Nation, about 20 miles west of Armstrong, due to wildfires in the area. The entire community burned to the ground, forcing residents to grab what they could and flee by boat across Collins Lake.

Meanwhile, smoke from the Ontario wildfires has given Toronto the worst air quality in the world, with yellow skies covering the north central and northeast U.S.

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CN remains in close contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources and local authorities as the situation continues to evolve. The safety of employees, the community, and emergency responders remains the top priority.

The company’s decision to suspend rail operations near Armstrong is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all individuals involved. They are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation.

It is clear that the safety of people and communities must be the primary concern in the face of natural disasters like wildfires. The situation in northwest Ontario continues to unfold, and they must prioritize safety above all else.

CN employees in the area and residents of the Town of Armstrong were evacuated overnight Monday.