SMART Train Runs Limited Emergency Service

NORTH BAY, CA – Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit is providing free, limited emergency service between downtown Santa Rosa and downtown San Rafael for the rest of Monday following a series of North Bay wildfires.

Following an inspection of tracks and equipment, SMART crews resumed limited northbound and southbound service around 2:30 p.m. between the the two cities and the stations in between.

SMART will run three-car trains instead of two cars for maximum capacity, and will sound the train horn at all crossings because of poor visibility caused by heavy smoke and other fire conditions, according to SMART officials.

Watch: Evacuations Ordered As Wildfires Burn Through Calif. Wine Country

SMART service was canceled Monday morning as extreme fire conditions affected the tracks and visibility in the area, with multiple railroad crossings in northern Santa Rosa closed due to evacuations, SMART officials said on the agency's website.

A track inspection showed power poles on fire with lines that cross the tracks creating dangerous conditions, according to SMART officials. SMART's rail operations center is located in the northern Santa Rosa area.

"Safety is our top priority and we will monitor fire conditions and resume service as safety allows," SMART officials said at the time.

Full service will be restored as soon as possible, SMART officials said.

Service updates are available at SonomaMarinTrain.org.

Also see:

• Multiple Fires Burn In Sonoma County, Napa County; Evacuations Ordered
• State Route 37 Closure: Fires Fully Close Highway

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo via Al Francis/NapaSonomaphotos.com