FERNDALE, Wash. — The Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery at 3901 Unick Road was producing a noticeably large flare visible for several miles away this evening, Monday, February 6th. Readers from Anacortes to Lynden reported seeing a large bright flickering red glow against the cloud cover in the western sky.
Staff on-site said they were burning off excess fuel which results in the larger than normal flare.
Company spokespersons were not immediately available to comment on the need for the larger than normal flare.
Temporary flaring, burning off product via an often-visible flame at the top of a tall structure, is an industrial safety mechanism intended to dispose of product in a controlled manner in order to protect workers and the nearby community.