Up Admits Sparks Came From Engine Frustrated Firefighters Say Railroad Has Caused 4 Fires Near Mica Since 1996

Union Pacific railroad claimed responsibility for a series of brush fires near the town of Mica Monday, prompting the charge that the railroad doesn’t do enough to prevent fires in that area.

A southbound locomotive hauling 15 cars spit hot embers from its smoke stack, igniting six separate brush fires.

The locomotive was not in good working order, Union Pacific spokesman Mike Furtney said.

The fires Monday burned more than 20 acres of brush and wooded area near the intersection of Highway 27 and Dishman-Mica Road. The area, at the top of a steep rail grade, has had four brush fires caused by trains since 1996.

The railroad tries to keep its locomotives in good working order, Furtney said, but “sometimes a locomotive gets out there that’s not up to snuff.”

The area gets hit nearly every year, Fire District 8 deputy chief Dan Blystone said.

“It’s frustrating for us,” Blystone said. “Those fires seem to get bigger and bigger and the houses get more and more built in there.”

Monday’s fire briefly threatened homes, as did the 1996 blaze.

It’s just a matter of time before a house burns, Blystone said.

District officials have talked with Union Pacific about the fire hazards in the past. Usually, the fires are caused by a dirty spark arrestor - the metal mesh that covers the exhaust stacks on a diesel locomotive.

“It’s really tough. There’s not much we can do but talk to them,” Blystone said.

Furtney said he could assure the fire district that if the railroad could do something more to prevent the fires, it would.

“We really hate it to happen and if we could figure out a way to keep it from happening, we’d do it,” Furtney said.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources continued investigating the fire Tuesday. If the investigation uncovers negligence, Union Pacific will be required to repay the DNR for the costs of fighting the fire, DNR spokeswoman Cindy Neff said.

The largest fire Monday burned 20 acres of trees and shrubs. More than 120 people and 20 firetrucks fought the fire to containment by nightfall.

No one was injured and no homes were lost.

When asked whether Union Pacific would pay for the cost of the fire suppression, Furtney said he did not know.

“That’s not my bailiwick, but certainly whatever is appropriate, we’ll do,” he said.