This update is from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office on 3/10 at 4:27 pm:
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency are monitoring air quality at the AmeriTies West Plant after diesel sludge and residue caught fire in a tank about 8 p.m. Thursday night. The fire is under control and Mid-Columbia Fire Rescue is on-site and continuing to respond until it has been fully extinguished, based on the recommendation of the Unified Command Team (DEQ, EPA, and AmeriTies West).
The tank normally contains a solution of 99 percent diesel and one percent copper naphthenate. Crews had taken the tank out of service earlier on Thursday and the copper naphthenate safely drained, though some amount of diesel sludge and wood residue remained in the tank and later caught fire.
Vapors inside the tank heated and expanded, causing an explosion inside the tank about 30 minutes after the fire started. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
On Friday afternoon, EPA deployed air monitors in the neighborhoods and other areas downwind from the facility. Thus far, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds are at normal “background” levels.
The two firefighters that were hurt in the explosion were released late on Thursday and are home and recuperating. Neither firefighter sustained long-term injuries.
The plant is currently transitioning its treatment operations exclusively to copper naphthenate, which is used to render wood more resistant to weather and insects. Copper naphthenate is considered a more environmentally friendly compound than creosote, which was used in the past.
For questions about air quality monitoring, contact DEQ at 800-452-4011. For questions about health effects, contact OHA at 503-947-2340.
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The following press release is from AmeriTies West President Jeff Thompson:
AmeriTies West Assessing Damage Following Plant Fire
THE DALLES, OREGON: Management at the AmeriTies West treatment plant in The Dalles are assessing the damage from a fire that occurred at its plant at 100 Tie Plant Road in The Dalles.
No workers were harmed. Two firefighters suffered injuries but were reported in a 9:45 p.m. update by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office to be in good condition Thursday night at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
A fire at the plant was reported to 911 Emergency Dispatch at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday. While firefighters were on scene, at approximately 8:30 p.m., an explosion occurred in a copper naphthenate diesel tank that had been taken out of service earlier in the day to be cleaned.
“We are grateful for the quick response from our local fire and emergency crews and are hopeful that the firefighters who were injured will recover quickly and resume the important work they do protecting our community,” said Jeff Thompson, President of AmeriTies West, LLC.
AmeriTies West LLC began operations in February 2005, after purchasing the plant formerly owned by Kerr McGee, which had operated at The Dalles since 1922. The plant supplies treated wood products – railroad cross ties, switch ties and bridge timbers – that are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the nation’s rail transportation networks. It is also treats wood utility poles.
The Dalles plant has an experienced workforce of approximately 40 employees. It was the first industrial facility in the state to be awarded OSHA STAR status by Oregon OSHA (Occupation Health & Safety Administration) in 1996 and continues to follow rigorous safety protocols.
The plant is currently transitioning its treatment operations exclusively to copper naphthenate which is used to render wood more resistant to weather and insects. The tank had been taken out of service earlier in the day and the copper naphthenate safely drained.
Workers on the ground are assessing the cause of the fire. AmeriTies does not yet know the extent of the damage.
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Info from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page:
9:45 PM Update:
A fire was reported to 911 Dispatch at 8:00 PM at the AmeriTies West plant located at 100 Tie Plant Road. Around 8:29 PM, an explosion occurred in a copper naphthenate diesel tank that had been taken out of service earlier in the day to be cleaned. Two firefighters were injured during the explosion and are in good condition at MCMC. Responding units include Mid-Columbia Fire Rescue Engine 21 and Engine 22, Mid-Columbia Fire Rescue Medic 22 and 23, Dallesport Fire Engine 635, The City of the Dalles Police and the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. The fire is contained and units are is still on scene.