The largest of two piles of railroad ties in front of Pat Henly's home in Bowell, Alta. on May 15, 2023. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Bowell resident concerned old railway ties are a fire risk

May 15, 2023 | 5:12 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB – Cypress County officials say the risk of fire remains low this week, but one local resident is worried about a fire igniting near his home.

Pat Henly says two days ago CP Rail began dumping old railroad ties next to the track about 150 feet from his home in Bowell, Alta.

On Monday morning, Henly estimated there are about 3,000 ties between two piles and he fears if the ties were to catch fire, it could be hard to contain, which is weighing on his and his wife’s minds.

“The first night I couldn’t get to sleep sort of wondering whether it was going to catch fire and she said last night she couldn’t sleep,” Henly said. “So you know it’s not only that it’s a mental stress because you’re worried the whole thing’s going to catch fire and you’re going to lose everything.”

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In a statement, the company says “Rail ties are stored on CP property until resources and equipment are available to remove them.”