Oil train derails and catches fire in Oregon, forcing evacuations

A 96-car oil train derailed along the Columbia Gorge in Oregon on Friday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of the small town of Mosier. Two cars caught fire, but no injuries were reported. "Right now there are no impacts to the Columbia River from any oil releases," said Greg Svelund at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. "We can say that with confidence."

Union Pacific trains a mile long carry three million gallons of Bakken crude oil along the Columbia River to Washington refineries each month. Local officials say the towns along the train route are not prepared for oil spills.

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