Questions Remain as Dunnellon City Council Holds Public Hearing on Railroad Tie Fire

Dunnellon City Council held a public hearing with much of the discussion centering around what should be done concerning the Feb. 1, 2026, railroad tie fire, and if it was possible to join Marion County's injunction.

DUNNELLON, FL (352today.com) – A public hearing was held at the Dunnellon City Council meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with discussion centering around the municipality joining the complaint for an injunction that had been filed by Marion County on March 3, 2026.

The City of Dunnellon can file a motion to intervene, but will not be able to join, the county’s injunction. The lawsuit hasn’t been served. Political discourse between the City of Dunnellon and Marion County would be needed to amend the injunction to join the complaint.

Marion County filed a complaint for an injunction to preserve their rights should progress regarding the railroad tie removal and cleanup stall.

Last night, a motion was made to possibly have discourse with county staff, but was denied by a 3-2 vote, with council members Valerie Hanchar and Rex Lehmann voting in favor of the measure.

Several audience members voiced their opinions that the municipality wasn’t doing enough.

Dunnellon City Council Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep said he thought it wouldn’t be in city’s staff’s best interest to meet with county staff at this time.

“Our mission is to get [the remaining railroad ties] cleaned up and get it out of here,” said Inskeep. “This injunction does nothing.”

Marion County Fire and Rescue had informed both the City of Dunnellon and Marion County that there was the possibility of a fire, and that the railroad ties should be removed, prior to the Feb. 1, 2026, fire that saw the creosote-treated wood railroad ties burn for hours, which could’ve potentially released toxins into the environment. Soil testing, a major concern to residents who are struggling with why the process is taking so long, is ongoing.

Former City Council member Bill White asked the current city council to make a motion to join the county’s injunction to keep the pressure on CSX.

Resident Tina Kindred spoke before council and presented video of the fire and its impact. She wasn’t the only concerned citizen to speak before the governing body as Maria Wells also gave an impassioned address, choked with emotion that was palpable for those in the audience. It was also cited during the public hearing that commerce has been impacted, with a number of businesses being affected negatively.

Wells questioned why CSX had dumped the toxic railroad ties in Dunnellon, knowing there was the possibility it could impact adjacent neighborhoods. Wells also said that no one had come to her house to test the soil. She also advocated for animals in the area, and how the fire may have significantly impacted their habitat and ecosystem. Wells mentioned that she is losing her next-door neighbor.

Wells, who said she was sad and depressed, wanted to know why the city and county allowed CSX to dump the toxic materials in the middle of the neighborhood.

“We deserve better, we are taxpayers, we love Florida,” said Wells.

No one from the Dunnellon City Council or the Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved for anyone to drop-off the railroad ties, said Inskeep. Someone had contacted the city regarding the ties being dropped off. A special city council meeting was held. It also gave the city council the opportunity to research, to be prepared for the meeting, and steps were made for the removal of the railroad ties.

“We are the ones who contacted the county,” said Inskeep. “We asked our Commissioner Kathy Bryant to come to that meeting. She came to the special council meeting also. They (the county) had no idea they (the railroad ties) were dropped off. They also started the litigation processes for CSX, Northern Rail and Track Line as defendants to get those ties removed. We did not allow [the ties being dropped off]. As soon as we knew about it, we were serious about it. We live here too. We drink the same water, have the same soil and same rivers. Nobody allowed this to happen from the city.”

Update on what measures have been taken since the fire (from the City of Dunnellon website)

Continuing On-site and Off-site Air and Soil Sampling: To date, all post-excavation test results have returned below soil cleanup target levels.
Surface Water Sampling: Round two of three surface water samplings were taken on
Wednesday, Feb. 18. All results have returned under surface water cleanup target levels.
On Tuesday, March 10, continue to move rail ties from east to west for efficient loading.
On Monday, March 9, nine rail cars loaded with rail ties departed the site. Continue moving ties from east to west for efficient loading.
On Sunday, March 8, no work on site.
On Saturday, March 7, nine rail cars loaded with rail ties.
On Friday, March 6, nine empty rail cars dropped off at site. Continue grading excavation backfill. Continue moving ties from east to west for efficient loading.
On Thursday, March 5, backfill is 100 percent complete.
On Wednesday, March 4, as of 4:30 p.m., 24 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site. The western half is backfilled short of 10 feet.
10. On Tuesday, March 3, as of 4:30 p.m., 64 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site.
The western half is backfilled short of 150 feet. The third round of surface water samples were taken and sent out for testing.
On Monday, March 2, as of 4 p.m., 63 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site. The eastern half is completely backfilled. 8 rail cars loaded with rail ties departed.
On Sunday, March 1, no work was performed at the site.
On Saturday, February 28, all eight rail cars were loaded with rail ties.
On Friday, February 27, 56 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site. 800 feet of 1250 has been backfilled. 8 empty rail cars arrived.
On Thursday, February 26, 70 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site. 700 feet of 1250 has been backfilled. 18 rail cars full of ties have departed. Six property owners requested soil sampling. All six private property samples collected are below soil cleanup target levels.
On Wednesday, February 25, one truck loaded with debris moved offsite. 82 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site. 18 rail cars have been loaded.
On Tuesday, February 24, three trucks loaded with excavation material moved offsite. 30 trucks unloaded backfill at the excavation site. 18 empty rail cars arrived on site.
On Monday, February 23, 16 trucks loaded with excavation material moved offsite. Nine loaded rail cars departed. One private property soil sample was taken.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, no work at site.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, completed loading nine rail cars.
On Friday, Feb. 20, 30 trucks loaded with excavation material moved offsite. Continued loading nine rail cars. Four private property soil samples were taken. Continued site excavation.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, 25 trucks loaded with excavation material moved offsite. 9 empty rail cars arrived on site and are currently being loaded.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, site excavation continues. 33 rail cars loaded with rail ties departed today. Seven empty rail cars are due to arrive tomorrow, Feb. 19.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 25 trucks loaded with excavation material moved offsite. Six rail cars have been loaded. A total of 30 loaded rail cars will depart tomorrow, Feb. 18. more empty rail cars will arrive tomorrow, Feb.18.
On Monday, Feb. 16, 47 trucks loaded with excavation material moved offsite. Six empty rail cars have arrived on-site being actively loaded with rail ties.
On Sunday, Feb. 15, completed loading of empty rail cars.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, continued to load empty rail cars. 51 truckloads of excavation material were removed from the site.
On Friday, February 13, 21 loaded rail cars left with rail ties. 24 empty rail cars were dropped off. 58 truckloads of excavation material were removed from the site. One private property soil sample was taken.
Private Well Water Testing For information regarding private well water testing, please contact the Florida Department of Health: FDOH Private Well Water Testing Feb. 10, 2026: FDOH will be conducting free testing of 13 private wells in the area. FDOH has made contact with several of the property owners and sent letters to others.
Private Property Soil Sampling: CSX Transportation has agreed to conduct soil testing at no cost to property owners located within a 500-foot radius of the fire site. 10 notices were hand-delivered on Tuesday, Feb. 17 to eligible properties and notices were mailed to all eligible property owners.
Environmental impacts: February 10, 2026: FDEP has approved CSX’s Work Plan on Feb. 9 for Source Removal and Surface Water Sampling. Dunnellon Tie Fire CSX has begun excavating the site and taking soil samples. A decontamination site has been established to ensure controlled containment of hazardous substances. The work is being monitored by FDEP.
Security: Feb. 10, 2026: CSX in coordination with a contracted private security firm will provide on-site security 24 hours per day, seven days per week, until all the rail ties have been removed.