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A Day at the Rails:
The Cajon Pass Fire - June 18, 2002
Photography by Judd Spittler
Last Updated:
Friday, July 05, 2002 12:47 -0500
Keeping Things Cool at Alray
Fire Approaches from the South
Let's Send a "Test" Train
Firefighters Monitor the Situation.
Most of the Alray Fires are Gone
Time for Another Test Train
Test Train Goes Through the Smoke
Flames Escort Some Light Power
Green Trees and Smoke Clouds
Flames Near the East End of the Tunnels
A water truck keeps the bridge on Main 1 at Alray moist. (13:48)
Flames approach Alray as the wind increases. (13:55)
Smoke and flames are apparently not a problem for this train. (13:57)
...I know I probably would be as this train passes through a wall of smoke. (13:58)
Good thing the last train didn't arrive a couple of minutes later. Flames engulf the area only minutes after the last train. (14:02)
The flames seemed to arrive in layers. (14:09)
The west tunnel entrance is just around the corner to the left. (14:11)
Flames approach the equipment shack near the tracks. (14:40)
A fire helocopter surveys the situation. (14:42)
Another shot from my perch up near the UP tracks. (14:50)
The firefighters I saw were not actively firefighting, but seemed to be making sure nothing unexpected happened. (14:52)
...but a "mushroom cloud" in the distance suggests more activity to the south. (15:09)
...notice the smoke and flames near the tracks. (15:17)
Many of the fires along the tracks are just smoldering now (15:18)
A short burst of flames next to the tracks. (15:23)
Small groups of flames occasionally flare up even after the main fire at Alray is over. (15:53)
Surrounded by complete destruction, an island of lush vegatation survived earlier fires. (16:10)
...from the tracks. Fire approached the oasis, but didn't burn it down. (16:14)
The smoke in the background is from fires to the south. (16:16)
...of the garden wasn't really damaged either... including the wood parts. (16:25)
A patch of scrub to the west appears to have gotten active. (16:26)
A UP train comes up the UP tracks, as seen from the hill. (16:51)
The recent "flareup" moves quickly across the hilltops toward the tunnels. (16:53)
There was very busy traffic late in the afternoon, with two or three trains often in sight at once. (16:54)
This lizard surveys the changed neighborhood. (17:03)
...as viewed from the UP tracks. (18:23)
Keeping Things Cool at Alray
A water truck keeps the bridge on Main 1 at Alray moist. (13:48)
