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Department of Ecology News Release - October 9, 2009
09-248
OLYMPIA – Responders from several environmental agencies are on scene at the remnants of a former Steilacoom marina that caught fire early Friday morning.
Staff from the Washington departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife have been checking for signs of oil pollution and any impacts to fish, birds and other animals that live along the shoreline. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded this morning, providing a safety zone to protect boaters and others on the water from potential risk.
A helicopter overflight of the area revealed charred debris strewn along the shoreline north of the marina. Responders also noted silver ribbons of petroleum trailing the debris field. Ecology spills experts say the petroleum is unrecoverable, and the fire likely consumed much of what was in the tanks of the vessels that caught fire.
Based on their initial assessment, Fish and Wildlife biologists do not believe the sheen of petroleum outside the boomed area of the marina poses a significant risk to fish or wildlife.
Ecology hired contractor NRC Environmental Services (NRCES) to place protective boom around the entire burned-out marina structure to keep debris from floating further out into the sound once all fire boats clear the scene.
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Media Contacts:
Kim Schmanke, Ecology media relations, 360-407-6239 (desk)
Craig Bartlett, Fish & Wildlife media relations, 360-902-2259 (desk)
Chief Petty Officer Jeffery Bonafilia, Coast Guard public affairs, 206-375-1047
Ecology’s Web site: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/spills/incidents/Steilacoom_marina_fire/Steilacoom_marina_fire.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
