Firefighters save homes, businesses by digging fire lines, but swampy areas remain a concern in Railroad Fire

April 22, 2026 - 23:24

Firefighters have made significant progress against the Railroad Fire, which has burned over 4,000 acres along the Putnam and Clay County line. Sustained efforts have increased containment to an estimated 55%, largely due to the critical and non-stop work of crews digging protective fire lines.

These hand-dug and machine-cut lines, which remove vegetation to create a barrier to stop the fire's spread, have been instrumental in safeguarding homes and businesses in the fire's path. The strategic placement of these lines has allowed firefighters to corral the blaze and protect vulnerable structures.

However, the battle is not over. Officials report that challenging, swampy terrain within the fire zone continues to pose a significant concern. These inaccessible, wet areas can hinder equipment and crew movement, allowing the fire to smolder and potentially reignite. Firefighters are now focusing on monitoring these hotspots and strengthening existing containment lines to prevent any further spread as they work toward full containment of the wildfire.