Bend Fire & Rescue swiftly responded to a train fire on June 2nd near Deschutes River Woods, south of Baker Road. The fire, originating in the lead locomotive’s braking system, was promptly controlled with no injuries reported.

Community Preparedness

The engineers, traveling north on BNSF’s line from Klamath Falls, felt a jolt and saw smoke, leading them to stop the train before it entered town. This action prevented traffic disruptions and potential brush fires, thanks to a fire break created by previous wildfire mitigation efforts.

BNSF halted all train traffic in the area until the damaged locomotive was removed. Cheyenne Road was temporarily closed to allow firefighting operations.

Collaborative Efforts

This incident highlighted the importance of community collaboration in fire prevention. The Deschutes River Woods neighborhood association, Bend Fire & Rescue, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, and BNSF worked together to secure a grant in 2024. This grant facilitated the removal of overgrown vegetation, creating a fire break along the neighborhood’s eastern edge.

The cleared area not only provided a safe working zone for firefighters but also significantly reduced the risk of the fire spreading to nearby residential areas.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.