Fire Causes APS Plant Evacuation

Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 12:00 AM

The fire was located in the crystallizer brine concentrator tower, located on the North side of the plant, where decommissioning of Units 1 – 3 is being conducted. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the tower fire shortly after 1 p.m., with no impact on Units 4 and 5. Employees of the plant were evacuated without incident. No injuries were reported to employees or responders and all parties are accounted for. Four Corners Power Plant has set up water stations to assist fire fighters as they continue “Mop Up” procedures.

From the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management:

San Juan County Volunteer Fire Fighters responded to reports of a tower fire at Four Corners Power Plant at approximately 10:54am.

San Juan County Fire Command Staff, Volunteer Fire Fighters, Farmington Fire, APS Fire Brigade, San Juan County Emergency Management, San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputies, and NM State Police Officers were dispatched to contain the fire.

Employees of the plant were evacuated without incident. No injuries were reported to employees or responders and all parties are accounted for. Four Corners Power Plant has set up water stations to assist fire fighters as they continue “Mop Up” procedures.

The toxicity risk posed by titanium dioxide is low; accordingly, Four Corners Power Plant staff will be looking at all possible environmental effects. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

More from Local News

Gov. to Visit Flood-Stricken San Juan County

The governor’s visit was carefully scheduled to give first responders, law enforcement and emergency vehicles ample time to complete rescues and other emergency work during the flooding. Now that the floodwaters are receding and initial damage assessments are underway, the Governor will survey the disaster zone and work to get families the help they need.
National Guard, State Police carry out rescues as historic flooding hits San Juan County

New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham preparing request for federal disaster declaration
Bloomfield: Wastewater Emergency

Bloomfield Residents and businesses: please minimize water use until further notice. Postpone laundry and dishwasher use, keep showers brief, and reduce toilet flushing when practical and sanitary. Every reduction helps limit wastewater entering the river.
Kirtland Students on Remote Learning thru Thursday

The district has worked with the Lower Valley Water Users Association on the testing needed to lift the boil water notice. Because of the number of tests required, the district has decided to keep students on remote learning as a precaution for their well-being. If test results come back early, the district must still follow processes and protocols to flush and clear the water lines at each school before in-person instruction can resume. Safety is our top priority for the well-being of our Kirtland students.
*UPDATE* Boil Water Advisory Lifted for Lower Valley Water Users

Water Samples taken from the Lower Valley Water Association system have tested negative for e-coli. The Boil Water notice has been lifted for customers.
Woman's Husband Arrested for Kirtland Killing

Through the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that Lauren Patterson’s husband, Jess Patterson, had previously resided in California and had been arrested at least 6 times for domestic violence in that state and had been arrested in July 2026 in New Mexico for battering Ms. Patterson. An autopsy revealed Ms. Patterson suffered multiple broken bones, bruising, and internal injuries.