Video shows CN train and forest fire
A video captured by a Canadian National Railway crew shows their train passing through a dangerous wildfire near Armstrong, Ontario. While the crew was safely evacuated, the incident has prompted scrutiny from Transport Canada regarding safety protocols in wildfire-prone rail corridors.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the increasing risks posed by climate-driven wildfires to critical infrastructure and the safety of transport workers.
The scenes outside the window of the train are breathtaking. A wall of flame engulfs the treeline just feet away from the tracks.
“Y’all need to hurry up here, like, seriously,” says one of the crewmembers. “We’re encased in flames now.”
The crewmember’s voice can be heard from behind the camera as he pans around the cab, which is cast in the orange-red light of the flames outside. The fire is raging above the treetops as wind whips smoke by the window.
Then he speaks again, asking if someone named “Jodie” is still on the line.
“Yeah, I can hear you there,” says a voice on the radio. “We’re notching up.”
“Yeah. This has got to move f---ing quick here,” said the voice behind the camera.
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