Firefighters identify source of orange cloud over Finley/Kennewick area
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK – A release from an approved emission point at the Agrium Kennewick Fertilizer Plant, 227515 Bowles Road, mixed with rain made what appeared to be an orange cloud coming from the facility at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, according to Benton County Fire District Number One.
It happened as the plant was starting up for normal operations. The cloud never reached ground level and dissipated as it moved north. Operators quickly shut down the fertilizer plant after recognizing there was a startup issue. Agrium has made all required notifications to relevant oversight and regulatory agencies.
Benton County Fire District Number One thanks the alert citizens who spotted the anomaly and called 911. Citizens who have not signed up for Code Red alert notifications are advised to do so. Had there been an emergency or need to evacuate or shelter in place, Code Red would have been used to get that information to citizens. Information on Code Red, including sign-up instruction, can be found here.
Photo via Cori MacKenzie
