Tractor Trailer Fire near Hope (Hwy 5)
Last updated on April 5, 2023DISCLAIMER: Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management B.C. Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change as new information becomes available.
Incident Description
| Incident Date | November 28, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Name | Tractor Trailer Fire near Hope (Hwy 5) (DGIR 172958) |
| Source | Semi fire |
| Nearest Community | Hope B.C. |
| Spilled Content | Corrosive liquid |
| Who is involved? | Emergency Management B.C, B.C. Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, Hope Fire Department, RCMP, RAM Environmental Response Ltd. |
Response Phase Detail
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to clean-up or manage the clean-up of a spill. In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the clean up, the Ministry of Environment may assume the role. The updates below reflect the Ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions; details describe the spill response phase, only, and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. See More Information for other related reports.
Updates are in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF).
Most Recent Update
November 29, 2017 - 8:30 am
The tanker truck's damaged rear bladder remains at the incident site and a sand berm is being built around it. The intact front bladder, containing 20,000 L of the corrosive product, has been moved north to a nearby pull-out with poly lining placed beneath it and a sand berm built around it. Security remained at both sites overnight.
Northbound lanes and the left southbound lane opened on the Coquihalla last night. For the latest updates on highway closures, please visit DriveBC.ca.
Product recovery and more in-depth environmental assessments will continue today.
Additional updates are not anticipated unless the situation deteriorates.
(Chemical tanker truck spill on the Coquihalla Highway. Photo courtesy of RAM Environmental Response Ltd. - November 28, 2017)
Previous Updates
November 28, 2017 - 3:10 pm
Two Environmental Emergency Response Officers (EEROs) have arrived on scene, finished their initial scene assessment and determined that approximately 20,000 L of the corrosive liquid has spilled to ground. The product is contained within a 40 ft stretch of ditch in a natural depression.
The fire is now under control and the exclusion zone has been lifted. Northbound lanes are open on the Coquihalla Highway. Southbound lanes remain closed to ensure the product can be safely contained. Please check DriveBC.ca for the latest information on highway closures.
RAM Environmental Response Ltd., a contractor hired by the responsible person, is also at the incident site responding to the spill. They are planning to berm the ditch and use a poly liner to keep the product contained.
November 28, 2017 - 11:43 am
Two Environmental Emergency Response Officers (EEROs) are currently en route to the tractor trailer fire on the Coquihalla Highway.
Hope Fire Department will not be responding to this fire as it is outside their jurisdiction. No fire suppression has been activated at this time.
The product leaking from the tractor trailer is a corrosive substance called phenol formaldehyde resin. Initial reports indicate that the product is leaking onto the Coquihalla Highway and into the ditch. Sand is currently being used to dam the ditch and prevent further spread of the product.
The Coquihalla Highway (BC Highway 5) is closed in both directions to accommodate the exclusion zone required for public safety.
November 28, 2017 - 10:40 am
Two Environmental Emergency Response Officers (EEROs) are deploying to a tractor trailer fire involving leaking corrosive liquid on the Coquihalla Highway (BC Highway 5), near Hope B.C. RCMP are on scene and an 800 m exclusion zone is in place to protect life-safety.
The tractor trailer was hauling Phenol Formaldehyde Resin, which is a corrosive liquid. The fire is currently between the tractor and the load. At this time, the load is not on fire.
The responsible person has retained RAM Environmental Response Ltd. and the spill response contractor has deployed to the incident site.
Further updates will be provided as soon as new information is available.