Fire at BP Cherry Point Refinery

(Information on this site is considered to be accurate at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.)

Saturday, 2/18/12 1:45 pm 

Seeing no levels of concern, EPA curtails emergency air monitoring at BP refinery fire site near Bellingham, Washington

As cleanup begins in earnest at the BP refinery fire site, 20 miles northwest of Bellingham, Washington, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's air monitoring team is standing down after seeing no measurable threats to public health from airborne pollutants related to the fire.

Air monitoring was conducted at several locations around the perimeter of the facility. No readings were found to demonstrate any level of concern.

Once the site was stabilized and secured, EPA and Department of Ecology responders completed their assessment and demobilized.

Friday, 2/17/12 10:45 pm 

As mop-up continues at BP Cherry Point refinery, Ecology, EPA responders see no pollution threat to water but air monitoring continues

Responders from the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have determined that no oil or polluted runoff has reached Washington waters at the BP Cherry Point Refinery near Ferndale.

Ecology and EPA officials remain at the refinery to assess and monitor potential environmental problems after a large fire broke out there earlier today.

Officials found that all water and other materials used to fight the fire – including related runoff – was contained within the refinery, where it will be treated in the facility’s on-site wastewater treatment system.

EPA contractors will continue taking air samples around the perimeter and downwind of the facility to help ensure the safety of nearby residents.

Friday, 2/17/12 5:00 pm 

Ecology, EPA, Coast Guard responding to fire at BP Cherry Point Refinery to monitor environment

The Washington Department of Ecology, EPA and U.S. Coast Guard are responding to a fire at the BP Cherry Point Refinery near Blaine in Whatcom County to monitor and assess potential environmental impacts. A unified command involving all the parties involved in the response is being established at the refinery

More information about the incident and unified command will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Fire at BP Cherry Point Refinery.
(Screen grab from King 5's TV coverage.)