Dunnellon railroad-tie fire: what happened, what’s burning, and what it could mean for air and water near Rainbow Lakes Estates

In the early morning hours of Feb. 1, 2026, a large stockpile of chemically treated railroad ties caught fire in Dunnellon near E. McKinney Street and N. Williams Street. Local officials said the fire began around 2:45 a.m. and strong winds helped spread the fire along the rail line. 

The ties involved were treated with creosote, a wood preservative commonly used for railroad ties. Crews and emergency managers have emphasized that burning creosote-treated wood can create heavy, irritating smoke and raises environmental concerns. 

Officials later reported the fire was contained, though smoke and odors may linger. 

What we know (verified facts so far)

What burned

A large stockpile of railroad ties treated with creosote.  Creosote is a pesticide/wood preservative used outdoors (railroad ties, utility poles) and is derived from tar distillation. 

Where and when

Near E. McKinney St. and N. Williams St. in Dunnellon. Reported start time: ~2:45 a.m. Feb. 1, 2026. 

Official response & current status

Marion County Fire Rescue Marion County Fire Rescue responded and worked the incident as a public-safety and potential environmental issue because of smoke and contamination risks.  The fire was reported contained, with ongoing attention to air testing first, then other environmental concerns including water pollution. 

What caused it

As of the latest reporting, the cause has not been released / remains undetermined. 

Why creosote smoke and runoff matter

When creosote-treated wood burns, it can produce thick, irritating smoke and release harmful combustion byproducts. That is why responders urged residents to avoid the area and keep doors/windows closed. 

Separately, creosote behaves more like an oily, tar-like material than ordinary wood. A key risk in suppression is contaminated runoff—water used to fight the fire can pick up pollutants and move them into stormwater systems, wetlands, soil, and waterways if not contained. Concerns about runoff reaching the Rainbow River watershed Rainbow River were explicitly raised in public reporting and prior fire-service warnings. 

What water could be affected (based on the site and known drainage concerns)

No agency has publicly confirmed water contamination yet (testing and assessment are part of the ongoing response). 

But based on what officials and reporting flagged as plausible pathways, here are the most relevant water resources to watch:

Nearby stormwater ditches/culverts and low-lying wetlands near the rail corridor (these can move runoff quickly during suppression or rain).  The Rainbow River watershed (named in warnings as a concern if contaminated runoff is generated).  Connected local surface waters around Dunnellon, including areas tied to recreation (e.g., Rainbow Springs State Park Rainbow Springs State Park) and the broader river system.

What this means for Rainbow Lakes Estates (practically):

If you’re on a private well, immediate risk is usually lower than for surface water, but not zero over time—groundwater impacts (if any) tend to be delayed and depend on whether contaminants reach soils that connect to the aquifer. The near-term concern is more about smoke exposure and keeping children/pets away from soot/ash fallout, plus watching for any official advisories about waterways used for swimming/kayaking/fishing.

Which towns/neighborhoods could be affected by smoke (based on wind)

Smoke impact depends heavily on wind direction and speed at the time and can shift hour to hour.

What the wind was doing today (most defensible, sourced)

The National Weather Service National Weather Service forecast for Dunnellon on Feb. 1 showed breezy northwest winds (about 11–15 mph with higher gusts) during the day. 

A wind from the northwest generally pushes smoke toward the southeast/east-southeast of the fire.

Likely downwind areas (directional, not a guarantee)

If winds are NW → SE, the places most likely to see smoke drift are:

Dunnellon (especially areas southeast/east of the rail corridor) Neighborhoods and rural areas SE/ESE of Dunnellon, potentially reaching parts of the broader Marion County corridor depending on plume height and mixing. 

What about Rainbow Lakes Estates?

Rainbow Lakes Estates is not necessarily in the primary downwind line under NW winds; however:

Smoke can still reach you during wind shifts, calm periods (smoke settling), or when winds turn more westerly/southwesterly. Because responders noted strong winds helped spread the fire, smoke could have been blown in varying directions during the incident. 

If you’re smelling strong odor or seeing haze, treat that as a real exposure signal even if you’re “upwind on paper.”

What residents can do right now (high-signal, low-regret steps)

These match or extend official guidance without speculating:

Reduce smoke exposure Keep windows/doors closed. Run HVAC on recirculate if possible; consider a HEPA air purifier in a main room if smoke is noticeable.  Limit contact with soot/ash Keep kids/pets from playing in visible ash. If ash is on outdoor furniture/vehicles, wet-wipe or hose gently (don’t dry-sweep into the air). Be cautious with nearby waterways If you recreate on the Rainbow River or connected waters, consider postponing until agencies report results of their environmental checks.  Track official updates Marion County Fire Rescue and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posts have carried public-safety messages and updates.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Department of Environmental Protection presence on-scene was reported as part of the post-containment assessment. 

Bottom line

This was not a train derailment in current reporting; it was a fire involving a stockpile of creosote-treated railroad ties.  Cause has not been released as of the latest updates.  The two big concerns are toxic/irritating smoke and potential contaminated runoff, with officials indicating air testing first and then evaluating water/environmental impacts.  With northwest winds reported in the forecast, smoke would most often drift southeast/east-southeast, but local shifts can still affect Rainbow Lakes Estates.