The Utah DEQ contacted EPA on February 11, 2025 and requested assistance with an ammonium nitrate spill located at mile marker 65 on US Highway 40 near Fruitland, Utah. A semi-truck carrying over 45,000 lbs of an ammonium nitrate emulsion intermediate for blasting explosives drove off the steep roadway and into the Red Creek drainage which leads to Starvation Reservoir. An estimated 1,500 - 3,000 gallons of ammonium nitrate and diesel was released into the drainage. First responders built berms to contain the ammonium nitrate and diesel within the drainage, preventing movement downstream to Red Creek. At this time, there are no impacts to Red Creek.
The tanker truck with remaining contents was removed from the drainage on February 12, 2025, and crews began cleanup of the spilled material. Crews will continue removing the ammonium nitrate from the drainage over the weekend. An estimated 1,700 gallons of material has been collected from the drainage.
An EPA OSC responded on February 12, 2025 with START contractor support to assess the spill and oversee the responsible party's clean-up activities.
