The River Road East Fire started near railroad tracks owned by BNSF. In 2023, the tracks were operated by Montana Rail Link. (Hailey Smalley/Daily Inter Lake)
September 19, 2025
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May 3, 2026 midnight
State joins lawsuit blaming railroads for 2023 wildfire near Paradise
The state has jumped aboard a lawsuit accusing BNSF Railway and Montana Rail Link of starting a massive wildfire near Paradise in 2023.
September 28, 2025 12:05 a.m.
String of blazes near railroad leave Sanders County residents smoldering with suspicion
To this day, locals are convinced it was ignited by a railcar passing over the tracks that cut through Sanders County.