BLAINE, Wash. — According to an announcement from Whatcom County Fire District 7 (WCFD7) on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the bp Cherry Point refinery has notified WCFD7 they will be conducting planned maintenance activities that may result in visible flaring over the next few weeks.
The work is planned, routine and not an emergency, according to bp. Flares are used to manage excess gases during refinery operations.
According to bp, personnel are monitoring emissions and working to minimize flaring during the maintenance period.
Temporary flaring is often the result of burning off refinery product and results in a visible flame at the top of a tall structure. It is an industrial safety mechanism intended to dispose of product in a controlled manner in order to protect workers and the nearby community.
Discover more from Whatcom News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be First to Comment