Marion County officials declared a state of emergency in Dunnellon on Tuesday after a large fire erupted near a stockpile of chemically treated railroad ties, prompting health concerns from nearby residents.
The emergency declaration, coordinated with the city of Dunnellon, comes as officials estimate 30,000 to 40,000 railroad ties caught fire early Sunday.
During Tuesday’s commission meeting, officials presented a detailed timeline of attempts to remove the hazardous materials before the incident occurred. The county had previously issued multiple code enforcement violations and formal notices to the responsible parties, working within the limitations of federally operated railway regulations.
The commission also unanimously approved filing an injunction against all parties involved, including Track Line Rail LLC, CSX Transportation, and Florida Northern Railroad, citing their lack of action in addressing safety concerns.
“Despite extensive measures to get the companies to relocate the ties, tens of thousands remained on site,” county officials said in a statement, who also noted that previous enforcement efforts were complicated by the railway’s federal oversight status.
The declaration comes as residents packed City Hall to voice their concerns on Monday about thick smoke affecting a neighboring residential area.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is currently on-site, monitoring air quality and collecting soil samples.