CN blamed in devastating forest fire

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CHISHOLM, Alta. — Canadian National (CN) railway has been charged by the Alberta government for carelessly starting a massive forest fire that destroyed 10 homes last summer.

CN, RailLink Canada, RailLink Ltd. and RailAmerica, are each charged with "conducting an activity in a forest protection area without exercising reasonable care." As a result, they may be on the hook for forest fighting fees amounting to about $10 million.

Charges were laid, in part, because an investigation "hit a brick wall" when it came time to work alongside CN. The uncooperative railway was unhelpful in the investigation, despite the fact the fire began near one of its rail lines.

For its part, however, CN insists it conducted its own investigation and found that it wasn’t responsible for the devastating fire.

A court date has yet to be set in the case.

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