The Copper Basin Railway is using converted rail cars fitted with water cannons to help fight the Kearny River Fire.
Mike Reichling with the Arizona Forestry Division said the railroad has been a great help in preventing the growth of the fire on its eastern line.
“They’ve been a good cooperator with us here. They’ve coordinated their efforts with our operations folks that are running the actual tactics for fighting the fire. And they were actually put in place as an actual firefighting unit,” Reichling said.
Reichling said this is the first time he had ever seen trains used to fight a fire.
Officials from the railway said each car hold 15,000 gallons of water. The cannons can shoot up to 250 feet.
