Weber Fire hazmat crews respond to diesel spill from unknown source(s) in Utah

WEST HAVEN — A sheen of diesel fuel on top of the slow-moving water in the Hooper Irrigation Canal had Weber Fire District hazardous materials response teams working out in the rain Saturday morning.

The origin of the fuel spill in the area of 4400 South and 4700 West was unknown, according to Weber Fire District Capt. Krista Horting.

When crews first arrived they could see the fuel spill on top of the water, Horting said.

Dispatch reported that the fuel spill call came in at 9:35 a.m.

Although the flow of the canal this time of the year is slow, the fire district’s hazmat team dropped absorbent booms into the canal around the inlet near where the fuel spill was most noticeable, and along the front of the under-road canal tunnels on the north side of 4400 South.

Crews suspect the diesel fuel spill of unknown volume came from somewhere upstream, Horting said.

“People need to be cognizant of where their fuels are going,” she said.

This is not the first time Weber Fire District hazmat crews have had to respond to this location, she said.

The absorbent booms placed in the canal will remain in place for a couple of days before being removed, as they collect any lingering hydrocarbons, officials said.

Weber County sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene.