Possible ammonia contamination prompts evacuations after Oregon seafood plant fire, officials say

Newport Evacuates Areas Near Seafood Plant After Fire Raises Ammonia Concerns

Earthguardiansonline.com – Authorities in Newport, Oregon, expanded evacuation orders Sunday after a fire at a Pacific Seafood processing plant raised concerns that ammonia could be present in the surrounding air.

By 10:34 a.m. PT, city officials said the evacuation area had grown to a one-mile radius around the facility. Residents and visitors elsewhere in Newport were urged to remain indoors when possible, while anyone who needed to go outside was advised to wear a mask.

The evacuation is due to a potential ammonia contamination in the area from the plant.

Newport is a coastal city of slightly more than 10,000 people, and officials estimated that hundreds of people were required to leave the expanded evacuation zone. The initial order covered a half-mile area around the Bayfront, a largely commercial district that includes waterfront businesses and tourist destinations. The wider perimeter later reached nearby residential neighborhoods.

Although Newport is in its quieter tourism season, weekends can still bring visitors to the coastal community. The Bayfront area includes restaurants, shops and attractions, making the evacuation significant for both residents and people visiting the city.

Highest Evacuation Level Declared

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office placed the affected area under a Level 3 evacuation, the most urgent category used for such orders. People within the one-mile zone were told to leave immediately and avoid the emergency scene while fire crews continued their work.

Traffic was also affected. US 20 was closed from Harney Street West to US 101, creating a major disruption near the processing plant and waterfront area.

City officials opened Sam Case Elementary School as a shelter for people displaced by the evacuation. Emergency planners typically use designated shelters to give evacuees a safe place to gather while officials assess changing conditions and determine when it may be safe to return.

Firefighters Continue Suppression Effort

Video shared by the city showed firefighters directing water onto the building as crews worked to contain the fire. The cause of the blaze had not been determined Sunday morning, and officials were also investigating whether ammonia contamination had occurred.

John Fuller, a spokesperson for the city, said firefighters were still battling the fire. He confirmed that no injuries had been reported at that time.

Pacific Seafood said every employee had been accounted for and that the company had not been made aware of any injuries. The company said its immediate focus was helping emergency responders protect everyone involved.

However, the situation is still ongoing and we are focused on supporting emergency responders to help ensure everyone is safe.

The incident underscores why fires at industrial food-processing facilities can require precautions beyond the flames themselves. Ammonia is commonly associated with industrial refrigeration systems, and a suspected release can lead officials to establish a wider safety perimeter while air conditions are evaluated.

Smoke Spread Through Parts of the City

Oregon resident Coby Bertalotto captured video showing a large, dark plume of smoke rising above Newport. He described driving conditions in the area as difficult because of the density of the smoke.

Driving through that thick smoke … It was thick enough that I couldn’t see the side of the road.

Bertalotto said he proceeded carefully and noticed a “rubbery” odor outdoors. He said smoke appeared to be affecting several blocks near an area that includes candy shops, bars and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

There are probably about three or four blocks that are just getting smoked out.

For people outside the evacuation area, the city’s indoor-shelter advice reflected the uncertainty around the potential air hazard. Staying indoors can reduce exposure to smoke and other airborne irritants while emergency agencies monitor the situation. Residents were asked to watch for further official updates as the fire response continued.

Why Ammonia Exposure Can Be Dangerous

Ammonia can irritate the eyes, skin, throat and lungs when it is present at high levels in the air. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry notes that exposure may result in coughing and burns, while people with asthma can be particularly sensitive.

The extent of any release in Newport remained unclear Sunday, and authorities had not confirmed ammonia contamination. Still, the precautionary evacuation was intended to keep people away from a potentially hazardous area until investigators and fire personnel could better assess conditions.

Officials asked people to stay clear of the plant and comply with evacuation notices, road closures and shelter instructions. The fire’s origin, the possible presence of ammonia in the area and the timeline for lifting evacuation orders remained under investigation.