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Wildfires have always been part of the Pacific Northwest’s landscape, but recent years have shown just how devastating they can become. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and high winds have created conditions where a single spark can fuel massive destruction. While many fires start from lightning strikes or human activity, another significant source of ignition comes from railroads and utility companies. Trains and electrical infrastructure move through some of the most fire-prone areas of Washington and Oregon, and their operations can pose serious risks if not carefully managed. 

The Pacific Northwest has seen a marked increase in wildfire activity over the last decade. According to state forestry data, Oregon and Washington now lose hundreds of thousands of acres annually to fire, with some seasons exceeding one million acres burned. Longer, hotter summers have dried out vegetation, turning forests and grasslands into tinderboxes. 

These conditions have also extended the wildfire season, with high-risk days now stretching well into early fall. Communities that were once rarely affected by wildfires now face recurring threats, smoke-filled skies, and evacuation orders. Beyond the environmental toll, families are losing homes, businesses, pets, and even loved ones, while cities and towns grapple with the costly aftermath of fire damage. 

Several regions stand out as especially high-risk:

• The Columbia River Gorge
• The Eastern Cascades of Oregon
• The Okanogan Highlands
• The Snake River Plain/Columbia Plateau

Each of these areas combines dry vegetation, steep or windy terrain, and nearby transportation corridors, making them particularly vulnerable to rail- and utility-caused fires.

Recent incidents underscore the risks associated with these areas.

Recent incidents underscore the risks associated with these areas.

• The 2025 Cram Fire in Crook, Jefferson, and Wasco Counties, Oregon burned nearly 100,000 acres and destroyed a number of structures, while threatening several homes. This fire raised additional concerns pertaining to utility oversight and wildfire prevention. 
• The 2025 Rowena Fire in the Columbia River Gorge burned over 3,600 acres, destroyed at least 56 homes, and threatened nearly 2,200 structures. Singleton Schreiber is representing plaintiffs who were harmed by the fire in a lawsuit alleging that sparks from a Union Pacific train ignited the blaze.
• The 2025 Cold Springs Reservoir Fire, near Umatilla, Oregon, destroyed at least one home and burned approximately 2,500 acres, while threatening several other homes and farmland. The fire, which allegedly was sparked by a Union Pacific Train, also forced evacuations and the closure of Hat Rock State Park.
• The 2025 Bothell Fire in Washington ignited beneath high-tension transmission lines, rapidly advancing through dense vegetation and threatening nearby homes. The incident raised concerns about utility oversight and wildfire prevention.
• The 2023 Tunnel 5 fire near White Salmon burned 529 acres, destroyed 10 homes, and forced the evacuation of approximately 1,200 residents. Washington’s Department of Natural Resources wildland fire investigators determined the fire was caused by the BNSF railway.
• The 2023 Gray Fire in Spokane County burned over 10,000 acres, destroyed more than 250 structures, and resulted in one fatality. Washington Department of Natural Resource’s found that the fire was caused by a faulty outdoor light owned by Inland Power & Light Company.
• The 2007 Broughton Mill Fire in Skamania County destroyed six homes and burned over 250 acres, ignited by sparks from BNSF’s track grinding operations.

Railroads and Utility Companies May Create Increased Risk of Wildfire

While climate change sets the stage for these dangerous conditions, certain human activities play a direct role in sparking fires. Among them, railroads and utility companies stand out as a significant but often underreported factor. 

Railroads can cause wildfires in several ways:

• Sparks from braking systems or steel wheels grinding along tracks
• Exhaust or engine malfunctions in older locomotives
• Debris along rail lines catching fire when exposed to heat or sparks
• Dry brush and vegetation growing close to tracks that can ignite quickly

Utility companies also contribute to wildfire risk, particularly during periods of high wind, low humidity, and prolonged drought. Fires can be ignited by:

• Downed powerlines and equipment malfunctions
• Overheated transformers or substation components
• Vegetation contacting energized lines
• Failure to implement adequate maintenance or wildfire mitigation plans

When these elements combine with hot, windy weather, the risk of a railroad-related fire skyrockets. In fact, investigations have tied multiple major fires in the Pacific Northwest to railroad and utility activity, including the Rowena Fire, Tunnel 5 Fire, and various electrical line-caused wildfires, all of which destroyed homes and forced widespread evacuations.  

The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most high-risk areas in the region. The Gorge’s steep canyon walls and wind tunnel effect create conditions where a single trackside spark can rapidly turn into a fast-moving wildfire.

What Railroad and Utility Companies Can Do to Prevent Fires

Given the dangers, both railroads and utility companies have a responsibility to take proactive measures to reduce wildfire risks. Effective strategies include:

• Vegetation management: Cleaning dry grass, weeds, and brush along rail corridors and under/around power lines
• Equipment upgrades: Modernizing locomotives, braking systems, and exhaust controls, to minimize sparks and installing insulated hardware, covered conductors, and spark-resistant transformers
• Operational changes: Limiting or rerouting train traffic and high-risk utility work during red flag warnings, peak heat, or high-wind conditions
• Scheduling adjustments: Avoiding rail grinding, heavy freight runs, maintenance work, or electrical work during the hottest and driest hours, particularly in wind-prone areas
• Emergency coordination: Working with fire agencies to ensure rapid response when incidents occur

Railroads and utilities operate across thousands of miles of fire-prone areas in the Pacific Northwest, which means the potential impact of negligence can be massive. Proactive prevention, strict operational controls, and accountability are essential to protect communities and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires

Accountability and Legal Options for Fire Victims

When railroad negligence results in a wildfire, victims are often left with devastating losses:

• Burned homes
• Destroyed businesses
• Mounting medical bills
• Long-term displacement
• And more

Legal action may be one of the few ways families can seek justice and financial recovery. Railroad companies, like utilities, can be held liable for fires caused by unsafe practices or failure to maintain their equipment and infrastructure. 

If you or your community has been affected by a wildfire linked to railroad or utility activity, contact Singleton Schriber to learn more about your legal options.