HERMISTON — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will make a decision regarding lifting a cease work order at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility within a matter of days.

On May 18, DEQ issued the cease work order after a third fire in an explosive containment area occurred that same day. The fire occurred after the shear blade made a cut into the propellant section of an empty M55 Gb rocket. The fire was extinguished in about three seconds. The previous two fires happened on April 7 and April 23.

According to Dennis Murphey, DEQ's administrator, a meeting held on Thursday in Portland with DEQ officials and UMCDF officials was a "good meeting."

"We had a candid discussion as to where they are and what they are going to do in the future (regarding reducing the possibility of future fires)," Murphey said.

There were three main areas of concern for DEQ which UMCDF has provided. One is documentation that the explosive containment room can safely accommodate more fires, the scope of the investigation of the fires and the results the company found, and the actions already taken and other actions taken to prevent future occurrences. The propellant testing list has been completed and staff is reviewing the list. Propellant from Umatilla, Pine Bluff, Ark. and Anniston, Ala. is being sent to Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey for testing to determine why the propellant is igniting when sheared.

DEQ is waiting for one more piece of documentation to complete their review; a recovery plan regarding what steps the facility will take with investigating any future fires and what will happen to prevent fires.

"They (UMCDF) have been very responsive," Murphey said. "They have provided everything we asked for."

As to when DEQ will lift the no-burn ban, Murphey says his staff is reviewing the materials provided and feels a decision will be made within days.

"Maybe in the next day or two," Murphey said.

Murphey says that after agent burning begins again, his department intends to set up a public meeting to give the public the opportunity to hear what steps the incineration plant is taking regarding safety and the fires at the plant