Update: Blue Mountain Transfer Station burns to ground

Published 12:41 pm Thursday, March 20, 2014

Sequim Gazette staff

A cause is still not known for the fire that destroyed Blue Mountain Transfer Station Sunday evening.

Clallam County Fire District 3 responded to the blaze at 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 10 to find the site’s business office, employee break area and the nearly full garbage and cardboard recycling dumpsters mostly burned down.

Twenty firefighters from Sequim and Port Angeles Fire District 2 fought the fires for more than two hours Sunday night and were on scene Monday extinguishing hot spots.

Neighbors also heard a large boom from a pressure tank that exploded, said Patrick Young, District 3’s public information officer.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Clallam County PUD also responded to the incident.

The Blue Mountain Transfer Station, 1024 Blue Mountain Road in Port Angeles, serves the Sequim area mostly outside of city limits for trash and recycling services.

The City of Port Angeles owns the site and Waste Connections operates the facility under contract with the city. The City of Port Angeles partners in an inter-local solid waste disposal agreement with Clallam County and the City of Sequim.  

Bob Martin, Clallam County public works administrative director, said the site will be closed entirely for now with a decision to rebuild or not likely to be made this week. “I think they (city officials) do plan rebuild it,” he said. “It performs a much needed service.”

For now, customers are encouraged to use the Regional Transfer Station in Port Angeles, 3501 W. 18th St., which offers the same trash and recycling services from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Blue Mountain was open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The City of Sequim offers curbside recycling and trash pickup with glass recycling available at the City of Sequim shop, 169 W. Hemlock St., and in front of the Evergreen Collision Center, 703 E. Washington St.