Western Railroad Discussion > Essex, MT Fire Update for Friday

BNSF and Amtrak are running intermittently as long as it is still safe to do so.  Highway 2 is still closed.  Last news I have stated that the fire was about 120 yards from the railroad.  Residents who were evacuated yesterday were told at a community meeting last night that they may not be able to go home for at least a week.  The whole area is under a Red Flag/Fire Weather warning because of an incoming cold front that will bring winds and cooler temperatures, but very little rain.  Pray for rain and keep residents & firefighters in your thoughts and prayers these next few days.  --Mary in Whitefish, MT--

Thanks for the update. Looks like Amtrak No. 8 made it by without too much delay.
Dave in Msla

Any updates on this? Google searches don't yeild anything.

Thank you in advance.

pnger64 Wrote:
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> Any updates on this?

Here's the latest word from the firefighters this evening:

Fire Update: The Sheep Fire is on the Flathead National Forest and burning in very steep terrain with limited access. The fire is about 1 mile south of Essex and about 1/8 mile from the train tracks between Tank Creek and MacDonald Creek. The fire has not crossed Sheep Creek to the south. Because of clouds and heavy smoke, the fire was less active today. Winds were significant, especially on ridges. Construction of a shaded fuel break using heavy equipment on the west-side of the BNSF railroad tracks from Sheep Creek to Dickey Creek drainages started Aug. 26. This activity continued today around Essex and efforts were made to remove the logs and slash that have accumulated. The objective of this fuel break is to reduce the fuel component and space the tree crowns to limit fire spread and torching. It will also provide a safe location for firefighters if it is decided to burn out fuels in advance of the fire front. Helicopters were actively used to drop water on the fire until later in the day due to a lack of adequate visibility. Structural protection in Essex will continue. A night shift continues to monitor fire movement and patrol the Essex area and Walton compound for any encroaching fire activity.
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They also comment:  "Currently, rail traffic is allowed through the fire area during periods of decreased fire activity such as at night and early morning hours."  They have let Amtrak #7(27) out of Shelby this evening so presumably he is going through the fire area tonight (though not stopping at Essex).  Whether a #8(28) will materialize later tonight in Spokane (or elsewhere) and run through the area tomorrow morning remains to be seen (#7 of the 26th turning to this train disappeared from all public status systems last night after passing Sandpoint, ID).

Twice-daily updates and other information on the "Thompson-Divide Complex" of fires is available here:

Inciweb info. on wildfire near Essex, MT



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/15 10:14 by illini73.

Here's an update from the local media: http://flatheadbeacon.com/2015/08/28/firefighters-move-to-protect-essex-after-town-emptied/

Trains are only running at night and in the early a.m. as conditions allow.  Each train is getting permission to pass through the area on a situational basis.  I have also heard that the Izaak Walton Inn was being wrapped in fire protection wrapping.  It looks to be a long weekend for our firefighters out there this weekend.  --Mary in Whitefish, MT--

We were bussed from Portland to Spokane today (Aug 28) as train # 28.  All passengers received a free box lunch and water.  4 busses departed Portand on time or a few minutes later (4:45 PM).  Ours was "express" with one stop at Pasco arrived for a 15-20 minute stop about 10 minutes ahead of the normal train schedule and departed about 9 PM.  Arrived Spokane about 11:25 pm, about 45 minutes ahead of the normal Amtrak schedule.  Passengers for points east of Spokane were told to walk up the platform to the train so I can only assume the above posts are correct, no idea of where the trainset came from.   We had a hotel to get to in Spokane so no time to look around.  No sign of any WB 27 or 7 so this might happen again tomorrow.