A BNSF train derailed Thursday morning on the Swinomish Preserve in the Anacortes area, according to the Washington Department of Ecology.
About 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel had leaked as of 6 a.m., the department said. There are no casualties.
The derailed train may have contained up to 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel, according to the department.
Alison Myers, chief of the response department, said Thursday morning that the first locomotive had not spilled, but some diesel fuel may have been leaking from the fuel tank vents.
The train’s other locomotive spilled diesel and grease, Myers said, around 6 a.m
The third locomotive is mostly upright and does not appear to be spilling. It is likely carrying grain or dry cargo, Meyers said.
The spill occurred on a berm — a piece of land that borders the river — and most of the diesel fuel spilled onto land, the department said.
Department of Environment and Marine Spill Response Corp. respond to the scene to drain the fuel from both locomotives before correcting and removing them.
Swinomish Police and Fire are also responding. A hazard response team from a nearby refinery will provide additional spill response equipment.
Meyers said cleanup contractors along the shoreline contain any diesel fuel that might migrate into the water. Crews also worked to pump out diesel fuel and oil.
The Department’s spill response specialists will assess the impact on water, fish, wildlife and sensitive resources in the area. As of 7 a.m., no impacts had been observed, Meyers said.
