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Back to Table of Contents - Whatcom Creek Incident Archives
Joint Information Center *denotes new information since last fact sheet
For more information, contact Updates can be found at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us
Insurance claims: 800-451-4527 Date of Incident: 6/10/99 Time of Incident: Approximately 4:25 p.m. The response effort continues to evolve from an emergency phase to an investigative, assessment and clean-up phase with safety as the top priority. The response is being managed by a unified command involving federal, state and local officials, and representatives of Olympic Pipe Line Company. Personal safety of the public and responders continues to be a priority. For safety reasons we continue to encourage the public to stay away from Whatcom Falls Park and other burned areas.* Work continues to develop a plan to excavate the damaged section of the pipe. For that to happen, it has been determined that a rerouting of the water pipe servicing the area south of the water treatment plant is needed. Additionally, an alternate above-ground water pipe will be temporarily installed to service the area north of the plant. This effort could take as along as a couple of weeks, and will be accomplished prior to excavating at the rupture site. * Governor Locke is touring the site today to express sympathy to the Bellingham community. * Bellingham Police and Fire Chiefs have scheduled a noon press briefing at the Bellingham Police Department Training Room at 505 Grand Ave. regarding the investigation of the three deaths. The cause of the ignition of the fire will be discussed. * An opportunity for the public to ask questions of the state, federal and local agencies involved in the response is planned for Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the foyer of the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central. * The Bellingham Fire Department has created a grief support website for the community at www.supportofficer.com. * Digital photos of the incident site have been posted on the Whatcom County website at www.co.whatcom.wa.us. *Excavation of the pipeline began Tuesday. The first hole that crews excavated is about 150 feet north of the ruptured portion of the pipeline. A second hole 50 feet south of the rupture was also excavated. The purpose of the two holes is to gain access to the pipeline on either side of the damaged section of pipe. Today, the pipe is expected to be cut, then capped, isolating the damaged section of the pipe. * Work continues to execute a water sampling plan to determine the extent of possible exposure to natural resources in Whatcom Creek and Bellingham Bay. Shoreline and stream assessment and sampling continue to determine the extent of contamination and erosion potential of the shoreline. Work is continuing to determine the impact to fish and wildlife. An emergency restoration plan for Whatcom Creek is being developed by city, state and federal agencies, and tribal representatives. All fires are extinguished. Gasoline is continuing to seep from a small spot on the hillside, near the water treatment plant. It is being contained using absorbent pads, as well as booms. Skimmer operations continue. Water sampling continues at the seep site as well. Thermal scanning of the soil for hot spots continues where appropriate. For safety reasons and in an effort to give nature a chance to repair, the public is advised to stay away from Whatcom Falls Park. Contractors and other personnel will be working there today. Conditions are sensitive while isolating the affected pipe. Given the warm weather and reduction in pumping capacity, residents living in east Bellingham, north of San Juan Blvd. (including all of Water Districts 7 and 10), are asked to restrict washing cars, watering lawns, etc. Automatic sprinkler systems should be turned off. The public may water outdoor plants by hand on an odd-and-even-day schedule. If your address is an even number, you may hand-water outdoor plants on an even calendar day. If your address is an odd number, you may water outdoor plants on an odd calendar day. Please do not use sprinklers. This schedule is in effect until further notice. Plans are being developed to reopen the park and all surrounding streets. Maintain and implement waste management plan. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Ecology are on site. Olympic Pipe Line Company asks that individuals or businesses who feel they have been affected by the release call: 800-451-4527. Those in need of counseling services should contact the Red Cross at 360-733-3290. Incident background: Breach of 16-inch-diameter gasoline pipeline adjacent to the City of Bellingham Water Treatment Facility in Whatcom Falls Park. Significant amount of gasoline released downstream and ignited. Fires burning in isolated areas, but under control. At the height of the incident, approximately 200 emergency responders and volunteers were on scene. Key objectives of the response are safety of the responders and public, and determining the extent and size of the contaminated area. Three fatalities resulting from the explosion and fire. There have been no injuries to emergency responders. The fire destroyed one single-family residence. Responders and agencies onsite include: Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, Whatcom County Search and Rescue, Bellingham Mountain Rescue, City of Bellingham Public Works Department, City of Bellingham, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Patrol, U.S. EPA Region 10, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Whatcom County Specialized Emergency Response Program (SERP) Team, Tosco and Arco refineries, Whatcom County Fire Protection Districts 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9, Bellingham Fire and Police departments, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Whatcom County Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Olympic Pipe Line Company, Equiva Services LLC, Washington DOT, Whatcom Transit Authority, Clean Sound Cooperative, Whatcom County Division of Emergency Management, Whatcom Department of Natural Resources, Marine Spill Response Corporation, Support Officers, Whatcom Dispatch Center, National Transportation Safety Board, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Transmountain Oil Pipeline Company. Future news briefings will be scheduled as additional information warrants. # # # Back to Table of Contents - Whatcom Creek Incident Archives |
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