A spill of fire retardant has occurred on the northbound lanes of Route 11, stretching between Jacquet River and Charlo, as confirmed by the provincial government’s recent update. The spill, estimated to be between 50 and 100 litres, has dried over several kilometers and is not deemed harmful to people or the environment. The public is advised to be cautious of personnel present at the spill site.
The incident, caused by a contractor working for the Department of Natural Resources, was initially reported by the province on Wednesday evening around 8 p.m. Fire retardant, containing ammonium polyphosphate as its primary component, is commonly utilized to impede the spread of fires and is also utilized as a fertilizer due to its phosphate salt composition.
The spill has resulted in the presence of a visually distinct “brightly colored solution” in the affected area, according to the province’s statement.