IncidentNews Home  >>  Incident  >>  Entry

Ilwaco, Washington Tire Fire

SSC Evening Report - 16 March 1996 -  - Background: - In December 1994 a native soil slide
occurred after a heavy rain event on SR100 Loop between Fort Canby State Park and Ilwaco,
WA. In the summer of 1995 rebuilding efforts began. Road reconstruction was completed in
October 1995 using recycled tire chips (2"-6") as light weight fill material. On November
3, 1995 the road was reopened. -  - In late December cracking in the pavement was
observed. On January 3, 1996 steam and heat was observed on roadway. Surface temperature
of 122 F was recorded; on January 5, 165 F. On January 17, 1996 weekly air and ground
water seep monitoring began. On February 12 the tow of the slope was sealed to attempt to
prevent oxygen uptake. On or about March 14 an oil-like substance  was observed to be
seeping out of the tow of the slope with the ground water. -  - The oil flowed across the
platform created by the soil slide through an eroded ditch into the supratidal area of
this portion of Baker Bay. It is estimated that a total of 300-400 gallons of this melted
tire "oil" seeped from the hill before it was contained late on the 14th. Approximately
200-300 gallons of this oil made it into the intertidal zone. Most of it contaminated a
3000-3500 square foot area of the extreme supratidal just below the upland platform
created by the slide where the ditch entered the intertidal zone. Beyond this area it
remained constrained within the banks of an intertidal channel and extended approximately
another 150 meters downstream through the intertidal zone. -  - We are approaching spring
tides of 8.4 feet on March 21 (today we had a HHW of 7.7 feet). These higher tides have
resulted in some very minor amounts of oil escaping from the channel. Also, today the HHW
made it up to the area of heavier contamination in the supratidal. -  - The containment
and removal techniques applied on the 14th and 15th have proven effective at stemming the
flow of oil flowing off of the slide and into the intertidal and at preventing the
migration on the oil already in the intertidal. -  - Activities: - The SSC, Gary Petrae,
arrived late Thursday night and met with the FOSC rep. and Pacific Strike Team. -  - On-
site NOAA activity commenced on Friday morning with a site survey of the road, hill, tow &
slide area, and the intertidal zone. Extent of oiling was assessed and preliminary health
and safety concerns were passed on to the Unified Command of USCG MSO Portland, Washington
Dept. of Ecology, and Washington DOT. Samples of the pyrolitic oil were taken at the
seepage point and in the intertidal.  A water sample was collected in the intertidal
channel approximately 20 yards downstream of observed oiling. These samples, as well as
one oil sample taken by WA DOE on the evening of 3/14, have been sent to LSU IES for
analysis and characterization. Contractors have been hired to deal with the containment
and removal of the oil (Smith Reidell) and to design a plan to excavate the hill to deal
with the burning chips for the long term (Hart-Crowser).  -  - The road has slumped down
and slipped slightly.  Cracks are in the road bed and along either side of the pavement.
Smoke and vapors of undetermined composition are emanating from these cracks.  The smoke
and vapors have been sampled.  This area of the road bed has been taped off and designated
an exclusion zone with limited entries permitted using full or half- face air purifying
respirators (APR) with organic vapor and HEPA filters.  Analysis continues of the results
of the sampling. -  - Downhill at the tow of the slope on the platform created by the soil
from the slide, crews are using several cofferdams to contain and remove the pyrolytic oil
seeping out of the bottom of the hill.  There is a site of heavy contamination just below
the platform in the extreme supratidal along the shoreline where the original spill
entered the intertidal. It is estimated that 150-200 gallons of oil may be in this area.
The area has a base of intertidal grasses covered intermittently with seagrass wrack,
boards, timber, tree snags, and other debris. Crews are currently using low-impact, low-
intrusive manual techniques approved by the Unified Command to immobilize and remove this
oil. (staying out of the oiled sediments, walking on supported boards and plywood, sorbent
pads and boom, oil snare, and manual removal of timber snags from the upland side to
expose the oil) Sorbent sausage boom surrounds this area.  Some oil (20-30 gallons)
migrated from this area within an intertidal channel for approximately 150 meters. Most of
this oil has been immobilized and removed with sorbent pads, boom, sweep, and snare.  One
area of approximately 5 gallons of oil is in this area just outside of the channel on the
tidal flat. The entire area of impacted intertidal is surrounded by a perimeter of sorbent
sausage boom and oil snare boom staked out and anchored to the shoreline NE and SW of the
contaminated area. -  - Higher high tides today and through 3/24 will or potentially will
impact the area of heavier contamination in the supratidal.  Cleanup crews are urgently
addressing this oil and oily debris for removal and immobilization. -  - Tomorrow's
activities will focus on results of the LSU oil analysis, further oil containment and
removal assessment, and results of air sampling for health and safety in and around the
exclusion zone and the oil spill.  Also, discussions are beginning on issues associated
with the plans to deal with the burning tire chips.  WSDOT currently plans to excavate and
remove the non-original materials and replace conventionally with normal soil type fill
then reconstruct the road. -  - On scene: - Gary Petrae - Super 8 Motel - 360-642-8988,
fax -8986 - cell. ph. 206-310-7664 - pager 1-800-759-7243,  PIN 5798803 - Coast Guard
Station Cape Disappointment  360-642-2382  (both voice or fax.)