Western Railroad Discussion > OT - Fire in Niland, Calif

Pretty serious fire in the Imperial County town of Niland.  This is on the ex-SP Sunset Route, where the line to El Centro and Calexico diverges to the south. No apparent damage to the railroad but a sizeable portion of the homes burned.

https://calexicochronicle.com/2020/06/calexico-local-news/five-alarm-fire-in-niland-prompts-evacuation-of-500-to-600-residents-media-reports/?fbclid=IwAR3EnhuncpQUal9hBOED3qyii5_9PgAvMg5s11Y4QabsQZVotHbq3xAp7VU

Stan Hunter
Fair Oaks, CA

Pretty sad and terrible for the people of Niland who don't have much to begin with.  It even made the Daily Mail across the pond https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8471959/Wildfire-burns-homes-Southern-California-desert-town.html  On Sunday there were relentless winds in the Southwest US.  We had a big fire here in the mountains west of Las Vegas with smoke plumes visible throughout the area.

What do you want to bet fireworks and idiots had something to do with this? Sad that a life was lost and familes homes destroyed.

SP4360 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What do you want to bet fireworks and idiots had
> something to do with this? Sad that a life was
> lost and familes homes destroyed.

That waa my first thoughts too.  Damn fireworks!!!!

The major casino sponsered fireworks display at Laughlin NV has been cancelled this year due to fire danger, first time in
anyone's memory. 

Out 

A real shame there in Niland. Been thru there many times over the years.

Larry

These fires seem to all have one thing in common no one takes care of brush, shrubs planted that will promote fire right next to brush palm trees promoting the fire. There was almost start to finish last year on a TV program about fire and rescue showing just that problem. Happens every year no fire breaks vegatation that promots fire allowed to grow back tall and dense.  I guess thats why there are trains with lumber heading south thru Klamath Falls every day.