Train Derailment Fort Steele
Last updated on December 3, 2025Disclaimer:
- Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
- Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change
Incident description
| Incident Date | November 29, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 254596 |
| Source | Rail cars |
| Nearest Community | Fort Steele, B.C. |
| Spilled Content | Propane, Lumber |
| Who is involved |
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV), Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), YaqÌ“it Ê”a·knuqⱡi‘it First Nation, Transport Canada (TC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Interior Health (IH), First Nation Heath Authority (FNHA), Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT), Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR). |
Response phase details
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to cleanup or manage the cleanup of a spill.
In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the cleanup, the Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) may assume the role.
The updates below reflect the ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions. Details describe the spill response phase only and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. Visit the 'More information' page for other reports.
Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.
Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF, 106KB).
Most recent updates
December 1
The Environmental Emergency Branch (EEB), Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) attended the site on November 30 to coordinate with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Transport Canada, and contractors. Conditions remain stable, and response operations have progressed as planned.
One propane tank car remains the only breached unit among six, and all others are confirmed intact. The breached car has been flaring since 10:30 MT on November 30, burning off remaining product at low pressure.
No downstream environmental impacts have been observed and drone and boat reconnaissance has indicated no movement of lumber or debris. A derailed diesel railcar with minor damage has been removed and poses no environmental concern.
Propane transfer from remaining tank cars has reduced weight for safe maneuvering. Additional boom has been installed to secure wood debris. Transport Canada and ERAC remain engaged on site.
The incident is now considered contained, with railcar recovery and site restoration underway. The EEB Response Officer has departed the site and will continue monitoring remotely.
No further updates are anticipated, and there is no ongoing risk to public health or the environment.
November 30
The Environmental Emergency Branch (EEB), Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) was notified of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) train derailment.
The incident occurred at approximately 08:30 (MT) on November 29, 14 kilometers Southeast of Fort Steele and 17 kilometers East of Cranbrook. There were no fatalities or injuries reported.
The preliminary assessment is 12 rail cars were involved. Most rail cars contain non-dangerous good. One rail car carrying lumber has broken, resulting in lumber entering the Kootenay River. Three propane tank cars were involved. One of the propane tank cars, located on land, has been reported to be leaking.
On November 29 a coordination call was held. The coordination call had participation from CPKC, Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), YaqÌ“it Ê”a·knuqⱡi‘it First Nation, Transport Canada (TC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Interior Health (IH), First Nation Heath Authority (FNHA), Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTT), Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), and EEB.
CPKC crews and equipment are on site.
An EEB response officer has been deployed to the incident site.
Further updates will be provided when more information becomes available.