Update 5 : York Salvage Yard Fire Incident Timeline: First 72 hours
Update 5 : York Salvage Yard Fire Incident Timeline: First 72 hours
YORK, PA (March 9, 2026) – As we mark two weeks since the fire at J&K Salvage Yard, it is important to have an accurate timeline of the initial 72 hours to see how the emergency response began and developed. This timeline captures accurate notification and response times, as well as deployment of resources and personnel.
A visual StoryMap of our incident response and timeline with more information can be found here – https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/64e7b2d0be784e6b883eb4a863294a1d
On February 25, 2026, York Area United Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 1:56 p.m. and arrived on scene at 2:02 p.m. to extinguish a facility fire at the salvage yard. After the fire impacted oil totes on the site, the York County Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Team was dispatched at 2:33 p.m. While responding to the scene, York County HAZMAT Chief Daniel Santoemma notified the York Water Company and additional surface water users in the area as part of normal response procedures.
HAZMAT Chief Santoemma arrived on scene at 2:48 p.m. York County HAZMAT alerted Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) at 2:54 p.m., who arrived at 4pm, after the fire was put under control.
HAZMAT requested three additional units with specialized equipment and personnel to collect oil and debris from the fire. These units placed oil containment booms in the tributary at 4 p.m., and built containment dams by 5:17 p.m.
Additionally, underflow dams, absorbent pads, and containment around an oil separator on the property were all used to collect and sort oil. Soil and sand applications were used to divert oil runoff to collection points.
By 7:05pm it appeared that all oil and fire debris containment measures were sufficient and holding on the fire site.
PA DEP initiated a National Response Center (NRC) report at 7:32 p.m. and EPA responders arrived the night of February 25.
After 10 p.m., weather conditions and limited visibility made it unsafe for responders to continue assessments of impact to waterways.
On February 26, EPA, PA DEP, and York County HAZMAT responders returned to the scene to continue impact assessments to the site and waterways. A strategy was used to have York County HAZMAT and PA DEP focus on downstream impacts, while EPA focused on source containment at the scene.
York County HAZMAT and PA DEP conducted visual assessments from the rail trail along the Codorus Creek, identifying and installing additional containment measures at appropriate locations.
EPA replaced the spent absorbent boom in the tributary and added pads to soak up additional oil. A hardened plastic boom was placed at the confluence of the tributary and the creek.
On February 27, 2026, EPA discovered piles of fire damaged or destroyed lithium ion batteries in the impacted structure and began the process of containing seven drums of lithium-ion batteries damaged in the fire.
EPA deployed additional oil and debris containment and recovery methods, such as hard booms and pads in multiple locations, including the tributary and Codorus Creek.
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Atlantic Strike Team personnel were requested by EPA.
On February 28 USCG Atlantic Strike Team arrived at the incident to support oil and hazardous material response.
A joint effort was completed with York County HAZMAT and PA DEP alongside EPA to set aside and safely store remaining damaged batteries.
On scene and downstream, oil containment and recovery operations continued.
This was just a snapshot of the critical initial hours of the J&K Salvage Fire. Since the end of this timeline, efforts have continued to assess and address on- and off-site environmental impacts from this incident. Downstream water intakes are being protected with booms and other methods. The work to remove oil and other products from the site and tributary is ongoing. Residents or local media who have questions about the response activities should contact the Unified Command JIC at YorkSYF.pio@gmail.com
To view the photo gallery associated with this release, click here.