(Houston, TX) – The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency (HCOHSEM) continues to monitor the chemical fire that broke last Sunday, March 17 at the Intercontinental Terminal Company (ITC) plant in the City of Deer Park. The Harris County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is currently activated at Level II High Readiness.
Currently, four tanks at the ITC Deer Park facility are experiencing various levels of fire. Firefighters have been using foam fire retardant on nearby tanks to try to limit the fire from spreading. The tanks hold tens of thousands of barrels of products used to boost gasoline octane, make solvents and plastics.
“We appreciate all our first responders and emergency management partners who have been working round-the-clock on this event,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “More than 30 agencies, from all levels of government have been supporting the Harris County EOC.”
Dozens of air quality monitors, both mobile and stationary, from eight organizations are continuing to collect data. Harris County Pollution Control, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Harris County Public Health, 6th Civil Support Team, Center for Toxicology & Environment Health, and the City of Houston are present in the Harris County Emergency Operations Center. So far, air quality monitoring sensors from the various agencies continue to indicate only modest levels of air quality concern, remaining in the “good” to “moderate” range.
To keep the public informed, HCOHSEM launched a web page https://www.readyharris.org/Incidents/Deer-Park-Fire to provide air quality and public health information related to the fire. HCOHSEM and response partners will continue to update the website over the coming days.
HCOHSEM urges residents to stay informed and follow safety messages from local emergency management officials.
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