Cause of the rocket fires at the Umatilla Chemical Depot Remain Unknown
Rocket Parts Will Be Sent to New Jersey for Testing

CARLY KENNELLY
Last updated: Saturday, June 04th, 2005 02:05:33 AM

Investigators are trying to figure out what's causing fires in the incinerator at the Chemical Weapons Depot in Umatilla.

Project managers say they still don't know exactly why fires have been starting at the Umatilla chemical weapons incinerator. The fires break out when workers dismantle some rockets. For now, rocket processing is on hold.

A total of four fires have started at the Umatilla Chemical Depot since workers began taking apart rockets. What's interesting is, the fires only seem to ignite from rockets manufactured in October of 1962. The depot plans to use a military aircraft to ship nine rocket sections containing propellant to New Jersey for testing.

"Pherhaps there's been a change over the last 40 years over the chemical characteristics or the physical characteristics of the propellant, which might make it more sensitive to the shearing process," said site project manager, Don Barclay.

The testing could take up to six weeks and even then, project managers say they may not find out the exact reason for the fires. With 75% more of these rockets waiting for destruction, the depot realizes it may have to just deal with fires. A task force investigation proved the Umatilla facility and its equipment strong enough to withstand any future fires. Project managers say there's no risk to depot workers or the public. The depot believes the best option is to move forward with disassembling rockets.

"The risk to the public is continued or lengthened storage and that's why we've worked very hard and we're working with the Department of Environmental Quality to satisfy ourselves and the department to make sure that we're comfortable to resume processing," said Doug Hamrick with Washington Group International.

The Department of Environmental Quality says the depot won't be able to resume processing at least for another week.

Another weapons incinerator in Arkansas has had two fires during rocket processing.