UPDATE: Train derailment cleanup near Wallula continues

By on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLULA – The Washington State Department of Ecology reported Tuesday that responders remain at the site of last week’s Union Pacific train derailment near Wallula that resulted in a diesel spill of an estimated 1,400 gallons.

Cleanup contractors have replaced the inner and outer soft booms on the Columbia River and are collecting impacted debris and driftwood.

The contractors will continue to use low pressure water spray to clean contaminated vegetation along the riverbank that cannot be removed mechanically.

Last Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 3:30 a.m., approximate six Union Pacific railcars carrying frozen French fries derailed. No one was hurt and the cause of the derailment is still under investigation.