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Wildfire Guide For Storage Tanks

Read Time: 2 mins

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a guide as a resource for underground storage tank (UST) and oil aboveground storage tank (AST) owners and operators in the event of a wildfire.

The guide may help UST and oil AST owners and operators prepare for and respond to the catastrophic effects and environmental harm that may occur as a result of partial or fully burned UST systems or oil ASTs and associated piping and appurtenances.

Information in this guide may help owners and operators return their facilities to service as soon as possible.

State, local, and tribal UST and oil AST program implementers may also find this guide useful.

The guide consolidates federal, state, non-governmental, and UST and oil AST industry resources.

However, many communities develop their own strategies and resources to reduce the effects of wildfire on their citizens, businesses, and environment.

Although the guide addresses USTs and oil ASTs affected by wildfire, some elements of it apply to other natural disasters as well.

A central feature of the guide is listings of actions to help UST and oil AST owners and operators prepare should wildfires approach their facilities, as well as steps to recover from potential impacts to their facilities.

The page numbers indicate where in the guide you can access the lists of actions and steps.

For more information visit www.epa.gov/ust/wildfire-guide-preparation-and-recovery-underground-and-aboveground-storage-tank-systems