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Baker City Mercury Explosion

 
Site Contact:
Stephen Ball
On Scene Coordinator

(Ball.Stephen@epa.gov)

Site Location:
18775 Griffin Gulch Lane
Baker City, OR 97814
 response.epa.gov/BakerMercury

Up to 100 pounds of Mercury contained in a vessel exploded in a land / structure fire and contaminated fire fighters, who potential contaminated the supporting response vehicles, the fire station, and hospital. Additionally, there may have been some cross contamination to private vehicles and homes prior to isolation efforts which contained the spread of contamination. The release of mercury was not discovered until a number of hours after the initial explosion.

EPA is deploying OSC Ball and 3 STARTs to assess the situation.


Mercury beads on Caterpillar dozer seat View northwest. Note Caterpillar dozer Mercury beads collected on a rogue side view mirror Mercury beads on Caterpillar dozer tracks Looking west Mercury beads on truck topper glass seal Command post at Baker City Fire Department Trailer with Lumex readings at >50,000 ng/m3 inside bed. Pickup truck with visible mercury on windshield wipers Van with visible mercury on the roof Looking southwest at the site looking south at the site. dwelling in view looking southwest across the site looking west at the site Looking west onto Hg release site Hg micro beads on window of truck topper Hg micro beads on van roof rain guard Hg micro beads on top of van roof