When I was a firefighter in southern VT, during the spring fire season, I'd hear on the scanner of a fire along the track in a town or two North or South of us. Time to head for the firehouse, as there would be fires all along the right-a-way until the train was stopped.
At one time, here on the forums, someone was asking about modeling a forrest fire scene. They were trying to figure out lighting to resemble burning fires and a way to have smoke. I suppose with some of the things available it could be done, but my feeling was it would be easier to show a burned over area with firefighters and equipment still on the scene doing mop up.
Have fun,
Richard
I can't help but wonder if those fires was set by a rail grinder since they are miles apart?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
The old narrow gauge Colorado & Southern 2-8-0s had spark arrester smokestacks for a reason!
When I've ridden the Cumbres & Toltec and Durango & Silverton trains they have always had a fire safety speeder following along a mile or so back of the train to spot and extinquish any fires from burning embers. I've got a standard gauge Fairmont MT-14 speeder that I'd love to get regauged So I could "volunteer" for that duty.
Ray
Fought a situation like this back in the early 80's, as a firefighter, along what was then the SOO line tracks, today is the CN's ex WC, main line from Fond du lac, WI. to Chicago.
The tracks run through a lot of major marsh areas that we couldn't get to, so SOO Line road railers hauled men and equipment to get to the areas. We spent the entire day, and into the evening controling the situation. All trains were stopped because of the multiple trucks SOO had on the tracks, moving us to different spots. It was blamed on the dry conditions, brake shoes, along with possible exhaust from aging SOO locos.
Mike.
My You Tube
Back when I was a resident of South Dakota, dry grass/brush plus one dragging brake shoe was a recipe for multiple brush fires along the line that ran south from Rapid City. I doubt that the situation will change until something else replaces iron brake shoes.
As for modeling this, I've never heard of anyone modeling the aftermath of a brush (or forest) fire. It might make an interesting layout talking point, but not on my layout - there weren't any fires or aftereffects during September 1964 in the Upper Kiso Valley.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I don't know that there is any modeling ideas here but there are multiple fires burning on the CSX tracks southwest of Baltimore.
From the helicopter shot, some of these are miles apart and unlikely to be arson.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/03/23/several-brush-fires-in-howard-county/
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley