Update 2: Unified Command Continues Cleanup and Mitigation Efforts for Oil Spill at Salvage Yard
Update 2: Unified Command Continues Cleanup and Mitigation Efforts for Oil Spill at Salvage Yard in York, Pa.
YORK, PA (March 5, 2026) – The Unified Command, consisting of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), York County Hazardous Materials Team, York Area Fire/York Regional Emergency Management, and Spring Garden Township, is continuing coordinated air, land, and water operations to mitigate, contain, and cleanup oily water and oiled debris in and near Codorus Creek and an unnamed tributary associated with a recent fire at a salvage yard in York, Pa.
Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Techniques (SCAT) crews are documenting shoreline conditions and mapping areas of oiling along the Codorus Creek, Susquehanna River, unnamed tributary located on the salvage yard. This information guides responders in their efforts to remove oil and oiled debris.
Fan-propelled boats (air boats) and utility boats are being used to safely access shallow and/or debris-laden sections of Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River. These small boats enable crews to place and adjust booms closer to shorelines and within narrow areas.
Response crews continue to deploy preventative booming on Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River to help prevent downstream migration of oil and protect sensitive areas. Crews are coordinating with SCAT teams on boom placement to address water conditions and enhance the capture of surface oil and debris.
Aerial drones are capturing imagery of boom placement, river conditions, and containment operations on the unnamed tributary, Codorus Creek, and the Susquehanna River. These images give the Unified Command information to fine-tune boom locations and plan current and future containment and cleanup. Drone flights are weather-dependent.
Responders have collected water samples from the unnamed tributary located on the salvage yard property upstream, downstream, and adjacent to the incident. This data supports ongoing water quality assessments and helps define the extent of impacts from the fire. As of March 4th, preliminary laboratory results confirmed that mitigation efforts along the unnamed tributary were successfully preventing oil from migrating into Codorus Creek.
Residents or local media who have questions about the response activities should contact the Unified Command Joint Information Center (JIC) at YorkSYF.pio@gmail.com.
A website has been created to ensure information is readily accessible to the public: response.epa.gov/YorkSalvageYardFire.
Future Actions
Responders will continue to conduct aerial assessments and deploy resources to support containment and recovery operations. Water sampling is ongoing.
Unified Command will continue to provide updates on response activities to the public.
The Unified Command’s top priority is to ensure the health and safety of the affected public and responders.
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