Train derailment spills estimated 660 gallons of diesel near Columbia River

WALLA WALLA — About 660 gallons of diesel fuel spilled near the Columbia River south of Wallula after a Union Pacific train derailed about 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Stephanie May, a communications manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, said the department was informed about the derailment about 4 a.m., but was told there was no indication of a spill at the time.

May said the first response to the train’s derailment came at 3:40 a.m., when a Union Pacific contractor arrived on site. About 6:30 a.m. the Department of Ecology received a call reporting the derailment caused a spill.

Later the Pacific Union contractor placed the first boom, a floating device used to contain oil spills and other chemicals, in the Columbia River about 7:30 a.m.

The Department of Ecology responded to the incident with their crews arriving about 9 a.m.

Trains are a frequent sight for drivers on U.S. 12 near the Wallula Junction, the derailment site is south of Packing Corporation of America and Tyson Fresh Meats.

Containments efforts are underway with both hard and soft booms placed in the river. Ecology officials are coordinating cleanup efforts with Union Pacific contractors and are monitoring the site.

“Be aware that there will be contractors out working on the site mitigation. So, if you do see boom(s) in the river or emergency personnel, that’s what they’re working on at this point,” May said.

The cause of the derailment is still under investigation.