At approximately 9 a.m. on July 22, EPA Region 8 emergency response program received notice from the North Dakota Department of Public Health of a major chemical fire involving the Red River Supply warehouse in Williston, North Dakota (site).  The chemical fire started at approximately 1 a.m. that morning and had been burning intensely since.  Concerns at the site included public exposure to the smoke plume, contaminated runoff to storm water, and potential impacts to the the Little Muddy River and the Missouri River.  Due to the nature of the fire, which involved significant quantities of chemicals, the local fire department attending the fire decided to let the fire burn itself out with minimal use of water for fire suppression.  The city put out an advisory for residents within one half-mile of the site to either evacuate or shelter in place.  The phone duty EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) discussed emergency air monitoring needs with the health department.   The 81^st Civil Support Team was en route to assist in air monitoring at the time.  At approximately 10 a.m., OSC Paul Peronard was deployed to the site to provide additional emergency air monitoring equipment and assistance.

1.1.2.1 Location

Red River Supply (http://www.redriversupply.us/) is located at 1202 East Broadway, Williston, ND. The facility is  on the southeast side of Williston in an industrial area. Residential areas are located approximately one half to three quarters of a mile to the northwest of the site. The Red River Supply facility provides products and materials for the Bakken play oil field. The MSDS for the materials stored at the warehouse was provided to the North Dakota Department of Health and EPA by Red River Supply (see document “Red River Supply MSDS” ). Quantities of these materials stored at the time of the fire were later provided to the agencies as well (see document “RRS msds inventory”.

OSC Paul Peronard along with four START personnel arrived at the site at approximately 9:30 pm on July 22 and transitioned into air monitoring at approximately 10:30 pm. While en route to the site, a phone conference was held with North Dakota Department of Public Health personnel, EPA Environmental Response Team (ERT), and the OSC.  The parties reviewed Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals inside the facility to determine likely combustion gases that would pose a public health concern. The combustion products anticipated included carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxides, hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, and ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Based on the MSDS information and the location of residential areas-- over one-half mile from the site, EPA ERT indicated emission of particulate matter would be the main concern regarding public exposure from the fire.  

EPA responders set up and ran several particulate monitors outside the perimeter boundary and conducted combustion gas monitoring along the perimeter. EPA monitored conditions throughout Tuesday night and through Wednesday (July 23). Emission gas monitoring showed no measurable levels of combustion products at the site perimeter. Particulate monitoring around the perimeter showed elevated levels which dropped steadily throughout Tuesday night. The state's air monitoring station located in a residential area a little over half a mile to the northwest from the site, indicated minor to moderate levels of particulates.   See air monitoring results on the site map.  By Wednesday morning the fire was mostly out with ongoing smoldering and occasional flare-ups.

On Wednesday morning, July 23, the Williston Fire Chief, North Dakota Department Public Health, Williston County Health, Red River Supply environmental contractors (Garner Environmental) and EPA's OSC met to assess the site situation and discuss next steps.