Firefighting foam spill in Abbotsford creek alarms residents

[IronNoggin]

The local fire department was refilling one of its trucks with foam mix and did not realize the cap was off the other side of the truck. Apparently 5 barrels of this toxin went directly into the storm drain and straight into Stoney creek. This creek has hatchery augmented coho as well as with chum, cutthroat, rainbow, and other fish species. The creek flows through an off leash dog park. Dogs and kids play in this creek daily. Vigilant citizens reported this spill nearly immediately, but it took 48 hours for the city to make an announcement, and 3 days before any spill response was implemented. Everything in the creek is dead and some park users were left with chemical burns. Who knows how many dogs may have drunk the water and what the long term effects of that will be...

Firefighting foam spill in Abbotsford creek alarms residents

The City of Abbotsford is working on clean up plans after after firefighting foam leaked into a creek on Wednesday, causing residents in the area to raise concerns.

According to fire Chief Erick Peterson, crews at a local firehall were adding firefighting foam — a chemical foam used to suppress fire — to the truck as part of a routine procedure when a disconnected hose accidentally released the foam into the city's storm water system. The foam then flowed into Stoney Creek Wednesday, and was visible to passersby.

The city said it's working with the B.C. environment ministry and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to address the spill.

The provincial ministry said Friday that Environment Canada and Climate Change is leading an investigation into possible contraventions of the Fisheries Act.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...ford-1.7255058

[Steeleco]

If it's like the foam we used in the AC hanger in the day it's animal protein that they use. "Pig guts" is what we were always told. Sounds like they could have been quicker on the response, hell they are 1st responders LOL

I'd have a tough time thinking that each time they need to use the foam, they knowingly are creating a harmat problem? The claims of burns maybe due to it's high concentrations but I can't see it being toxic when applied to a fire?

[wideopenthrottle]

i looked for details on the type of foam used when i saw the story...type a or type b or ?

[BimmerBob]

Must be toxic in some way as they have closed off Bateman Park and all the walking trails along the creek with a team and much red tape on the scene. Many dead fish floating up on the creek shore as well. Kinda silly to try to solve one problem and create another but maybe they are making more of it than it really is, after all can't let a good "emergency" go to waste...

[AXEMAN.ca]

Type A for structural fires

Here's the link to the manufactures of the specific foam used PHOS-CHEK^® https://www.perimeter-solutions.com/en/class-a-foam/

[wideopenthrottle]

I was worried they were trying out some new toxic foam for ev fires