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Fort Collins Release

 
Site Contact:
Martin McComb
On-Scene Coordinator

(McComb.Martin@epa.gov)

Site Location:
413 South Bryan
Fort Collins, CO 80521
 response.epa.gov/FortCollinsRelease
NRC#: 1151896

On June 27, 2016, employees of the City of Fort Collins Parks Department collected containers of unknown fluids that had been abandoned in Legacy Park. The abandoned containers were transported to a central facility and the unknown fluids were released while the containers were being transferred to a roll-off. The release produced toxic fumes. Poudre Fire Authority's HazMat Team responded, evacuated a nearby building and contained the release. The City of Fort Collins called EPA for assistance with the subsequent clean up.


Truck located on the east side of the exclusion zone. Hazardous chemicals were transported from the park to the disposal facility. Three containers with unknown chemicals are located near the bed of the truck. Three overpacked containers. The blue drum is approximately 25% full of absorbent material, debris, and one kitty litter container (approximately 2 gallons) which is approximately 30% full of the main chemical of concern. The black container has a 5 gallon bucket which is approximately 5% full of Automatic Transmission Fluid. The homer bucket contains a kitty litter container approximately 50% full of automatic transmission fluid. The cardboard box contains used PPE from the fire department. Roll off located on the west side of the exclusion zone. Contents of the truck were dumped into the roll off. Trash bag located 4 ft. north of the roll off. The trash bag contained the original container filled with the hazardous substance. Contents of the roll off. The white powder is the absorbent/neutralizing agent used by Poudre Fire Authority. South side of the roll off, shows no staining on the ground. Black staining on the lower right corner of the picture appears to be old and not related to this response. East side of the roll off, shows dark staining on the concrete. Staining looks to be old, and not related to the response. West side of the roll off, shows no staining on the ground. North side of the roll off, shows no staining on the ground. Spilfyter is the acid neutralizer used by the Poudre Fire Authority to neutralize the chemical of concern. The Poudre Fire Authority utilizing a Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectrometer to determine the contents of each container. ERRS wrapped the bed of the truck with poly and over-packed the containers for disposal. ERRS wrapped the roll off with poly to secure it overnight. Photo shows a potential higher than atmospheric pressure condition within the container. ERRS is lining the disposal roll off with poly. ERRS removing contaminated debris from the large roll off and placing it into the disposal roll off. ERRS is screening debris in the large roll of with a multi-Rae. Debris remaining in the roll off after contaminated debris was removed. Contaminated debris in the disposal roll off. Approximately 3 cubic yards of contaminated debris was removed.
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.