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Battling wildfires across the PNW
One million acres of land was consumed by wildfires this summer in the Pacific Northwest. BNSF crews helped fight wildfires by shuttling firefighters, equipment, and tanks cars filled with water and fire-retardant foam to the wildfires in limited access areas. BNSF hazmat and engineering teams installed sprinkler systems on several BNSF bridges and near snow sheds for protection. And, where smoke was a risk, crews monitored and provided air quality reports.
“Forecasters predict the wildfires will continue to burn through the end of October when cooler weather and snow is predicted,” said Jared Wootton, general manager of BNSF’s Northwest Division. “Until then, employees will continue to support local emergency responders and minimize risks to ensure the highest level of safety. We’re BNSF. That’s what we do.”
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Rare track installation will improve speed in Vancouver
When one set of tracks crosses over another, the intersection is referred to as a crossover or “diamond,” referencing the diamond-shaped center. Typically, trains must slow down to 10 miles per hour through crossovers to ensure safety. In BNSF’s Vancouver network, this has created a bottleneck effect over the Columbia River Bridge.
BNSF recently installed a custom-built track component called a “movable-point diamond” at this location. It is the first one used in BNSF’s network and one of only a few in use in the United States. Now, trains can travel at speeds up to 25 miles per hour through the crossover, which will move trains in and out of Vancouver faster and make the terminal more efficient.
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Landslide stabilization in Seattle and Everett
BNSF is proactively working on projects near Everett and Mukilteo to lessen the impact of landslides and ensure trains continue operating this winter. This includes building retaining walls to catch debris, installing early-warning slide detection fences, stabilizing slopes, installing erosion controls, and improved draining systems. BNSF is working with the Washington State Department of Transportation as a partner in this stabilization effort.
Read more about this work in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce and Everett Herald.
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BNSF was a proud sponsor of the 2015 Seattle Mini Maker Faire – a two-day event in September that celebrates innovation, creativity, and resourcefulness. Advertised as the “Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth,” over 6,000 attendees gathered at the EMP Museum to try out the latest inventions from over 100 makers.
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Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452
To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.
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