June 11, 2025

Burn barrel fire spreads to semi-tank trailer and buildings

Steve Smith

Burn barrel fire spreads to semi-tank trailer and buildings

A fire broke out on Friday, June 6, around 4 p.m. on Bensel Road in Hermiston, Oregon, after flames from a burn barrel spread to a semi-tank trailer and nearby buildings.

The incident: Firefighters arrived to find a semi-tank trailer burning and diesel fuel leaking. Chemical totes and a shop building also caught fire, requiring extra crews from neighboring fire departments to respond.

HazMat teams were called to help keep watch on the fuel spill.
Nearby residents were evacuated by the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office for safety.
One firefighter was treated at the scene for heat-related injuries, but there were no other injuries reported.

The cause was traced back to burning in a barrel that got out of control and lit nearby items on fire, according to Umatilla County Fire District #1.

A burn ban covering the area has been in effect since June 1 and will remain through October 1. No other details have been released about the fire or damages.

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