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Olmito Grass Fires Sparked by Trains Under Investigation

7 years 3 weeks 4 days ago Thursday, March 02 2017 Mar 2, 2017 March 02, 2017 4:36 PM March 02, 2017 in News

OLMITO – Union Pacific is in contact with local officials to figure out why and how one of their trains could have sparked a grass fire.

Earlier this week, CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to a Union Pacific spokesman after three grass fires broke out in just two months. But he said Union Pacific was unaware of the issue.

Nearly 500 acres of brush in the Olmito area near FM 1732 burned.

Fire officials believe the friction of the train’s wheels against the tracks is causing sparks that are igniting the dry brush.

Residents in the area are hoping Union Pacific will figure out how to prevent another fire so close to their homes.

The Union Pacific spokesman said crews will be inspecting their equipment, as well as the vegetation near their tracks. 

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