Tunnel Fire Severs Rail Link in N. California
WILLITS, Calif. — Fire in a 600-foot tunnel has caused extensive damage and halted railroad service into the North Coast area indefinitely, a state official said.
The fire was discovered Sunday, and the tunnel--just north of Willits--was sealed by bulldozers on Monday when crews were unsuccessful in dousing the flames.
Two freight trains normally travel between Humboldt County’s lumber mills and the Southern Pacific railroad terminus at Willits while summer excursion trains make weekly runs along the scenic Eel River route.
Kyle Pinson of the state Department of Forestry said Tuesday that damage to the tunnel is extensive.
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