The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and NEXGEN Logistics LLC are continuing the cleanup of petroleum products released to Bear Creek from the April 12 fire at the Pacific Pride Commercial Fuel Station in Medford. Cleanup crews have collected and disposed most of the recoverable oil in and around the creek, but occasional sheens along the creek will likely be seen over the next several weeks to few months.
More than 20,000 gallons of various petroleum products – primarily lube oil – were released during the fire along South Central Avenue in Medford. The blaze spread to adjacent buildings. DEQ and the company do not have an estimate as to how much entered Bear Creek through stormwater systems and how much the fire consumed.
Along the creek on Tuesday, cleanup crews observed decreasing levels of sheen and small quantities of emulsified oil.
Over the past week, some oiled Canada geese and mallard ducks have been taken in by International Bird Rescue for care. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife advise the public not to approach or pick-up any oiled wildlife and instead to notify trained wildlife rehabilitation experts at 707-689-3944.
The City of Medford is providing updates on its website about traffic around the fuel depot and working with businesses affected by the fire. WorkSource Rogue Valley will host a meeting on Thursday for employers and employees, and the SOU Small Business Development Center at Southern Oregon University is also offering assist to impacted businesses.
DEQ will release further advisories as needed rather than daily as the cleanup nears completion.
NEXGEN operates the Pacific Pride fuel depot in Medford that burned and is funding the significant response to the incident, including all wildlife rescue and recovery efforts.
Courtesy of State of Oregon
