Residents or local media who have questions about the response activities should contact the Unified Command Joint Information Center (JIC) at YorkSYF.pio@gmail.com.
StoryMap Webpage
The link below will take you to a webpage with many details about the on-going emergency response activities. Please refer to this as the most current information for the response: York Salvage Yard Fire Emergency Response StoryMap. To view the photo gallery associated with the StoryMap, click here.
Update 5 : York Salvage Yard Fire Incident Timeline: First 72 hours
YORK, PA (March 9, 2026) – As we mark two weeks since the fire at J&K Salvage Yard, it is important to have an accurate timeline of the initial 72 hours to see how the emergency response began and developed. This timeline captures accurate notification and response times, as well as deployment of resources and personnel.
A visual StoryMap of our incident response and timeline with more information can be found here - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/64e7b2d0be784e6b883eb4a863294a1d
On February 25, 2026, York Area United Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 1:56 p.m. and arrived on scene at 2:02 p.m. to extinguish a facility fire at the salvage yard. After the fire impacted oil totes on the site, the York County Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Team was dispatched at 2:33 p.m. While responding to the scene, York County HAZMAT Chief Daniel Santoemma notified the York Water Company and additional surface water users in the area as part of normal response procedures.
HAZMAT Chief Santoemma arrived on scene at 2:48 p.m. York County HAZMAT alerted Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) at 2:54 p.m., who arrived at 4pm, after the fire was put under control.
HAZMAT requested three additional units with specialized equipment and personnel to collect oil and debris from the fire. These units placed oil containment booms in the tributary at 4 p.m., and built containment dams by 5:17 p.m.
Additionally, underflow dams, absorbent pads, and containment around an oil separator on the property were all used to collect and sort oil. Soil and sand applications were used to divert oil runoff to collection points.
By 7:05pm it appeared that all oil and fire debris containment measures were sufficient and holding on the fire site.
PA DEP initiated a National Response Center (NRC) report at 7:32 p.m. and EPA responders arrived the night of February 25.
After 10 p.m., weather conditions and limited visibility made it unsafe for responders to continue assessments of impact to waterways.
On February 26, EPA, PA DEP, and York County HAZMAT responders returned to the scene to continue impact assessments to the site and waterways. A strategy was used to have York County HAZMAT and PA DEP focus on downstream impacts, while EPA focused on source containment at the scene.
York County HAZMAT and PA DEP conducted visual assessments from the rail trail along the Codorus Creek, identifying and installing additional containment measures at appropriate locations.
EPA replaced the spent absorbent boom in the tributary and added pads to soak up additional oil. A hardened plastic boom was placed at the confluence of the tributary and the creek.
On February 27, 2026, EPA discovered piles of fire damaged or destroyed lithium ion batteries in the impacted structure and began the process of containing seven drums of lithium-ion batteries damaged in the fire.
EPA deployed additional oil and debris containment and recovery methods, such as hard booms and pads in multiple locations, including the tributary and Codorus Creek.
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Atlantic Strike Team personnel were requested by EPA.
On February 28 USCG Atlantic Strike Team arrived at the incident to support oil and hazardous material response.
A joint effort was completed with York County HAZMAT and PA DEP alongside EPA to set aside and safely store remaining damaged batteries.
On scene and downstream, oil containment and recovery operations continued.
This was just a snapshot of the critical initial hours of the J&K Salvage Fire. Since the end of this timeline, efforts have continued to assess and address on- and off-site environmental impacts from this incident. Downstream water intakes are being protected with booms and other methods. The work to remove oil and other products from the site and tributary is ongoing. Residents or local media who have questions about the response activities should contact the Unified Command JIC at YorkSYF.pio@gmail.com
To view the photo gallery associated with this release, click here.
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Update 4: Unified Command Conducts HAZMAT Operations at York, PA Salvage Yard Response
YORK, PA (March 9, 2026) – As cleanup progresses at the J&K Salvage Yard, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) operations are ongoing to assess materials on the site impacted by the fire.
Unified Command responders consisting of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), York County Hazardous Materials Team, York Area United Fire and Rescue, York County Office of Emergency Management, and other response personnel have been working with drums of unknown product, using a combination of sampling and air monitoring to identify and categorize the material. After the material is identified, compatible substances will be combined where possible, and ultimately all will be packaged into proper containers for disposal off-site.
All personnel involved in the operation are wearing personal protective equipment to guard against possible exposure. Personal air monitoring is being conducted when opening containers.
Site perimeter air monitoring is being conducted to ensure that there is no release of materials. Additional monitoring and sampling in the area nearby the incident is ongoing to help identify potential hazards. As of 3/9, no health concerns have been detected from the air monitors.
Responders may be working intermittently around the rail trail in the next week or two. Closed areas will be marked with cones and should be avoided.
While the work progresses on materials handling, Unified Command continues their air, land, and water operations around Codorus Creek and an unnamed tributary to recover and remove oil and debris associated with the salvage yard fire. Most of the oil work is being accomplished using booms, underflow dams, mechanical tools, and vacuums.
“We have made significant progress on the response to this incident and are moving to the next phase of HAZMAT cleanup or remediation,” said Dan Santoemma, York County HAZMAT. “I am grateful for the initial results we are seeing but we are staying vigilant as the cleanup continues.”
To view the photo gallery associated with this release, click here. To view the video clip associated with this release, click here.
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Update 3: Unified Command Provides Update Following Overnight Rain at Response Site in York, Pa.
YORK, PA (March 6, 2026) – The Unified Command continues response operations following overnight heavy rainfall at the site of an oil spill at a salvage yard in York, Pa.
Crews were on site early this morning checking containment measures and surveying for any additional oil deposits or sheen. Responders replaced or repositioned containment and deflection boom and assessed impacts to underflow dams.
A large vacuum truck with a high-powered suction system is now being used on site to safely collect, transport, and dispose of oil-water mixtures and contaminated fluids from the sites.
Prior to the storm, crews removed approximately 2,000 gallons of oily water from the unnamed tributary on the salvage yard.
“Even with the heavy rain overnight, our Philadelphia Street boom is working as designed and remains in good shape,” said Incident Commander Ashley Nilsen, EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator. “One of the reasons we place boom at multiple locations is so there’s layered backup measures in case we do lose one, we still have other protection in place. We also removed a good volume of the oil-water mixture before the weather moved in, which really helped limit potential impacts to the creek.”
Due to the increased water flow, some unrecovered oil or product may have moved downstream and could appear as a sheen on the surface of the water. A sheen is a thin, rainbow-colored film. While it can be visible over a wide area, it typically represents a very thin layer of material. Containment and absorbent boom is deployed downstream to help capture and recover floating product.
Future Actions
Crews will continue to conduct mitigation, containment, and recovery activities along the unnamed tributary, Codorus Creek, and Susquehanna River. Water sampling, air monitoring, and site assessment work is ongoing.
The Unified Command’s top priority is to ensure the health and safety of the affected public and responders.
The Unified Command consists of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), York County Hazardous Materials Team, York Area Fire/York Regional Emergency Management, and Spring Garden Township.
To view the photo gallery associated with this release, click here.
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Update 2: Unified Command Continues Cleanup and Mitigation Efforts for Oil Spill at Salvage Yard in York, Pa.
YORK, PA (March 5, 2026) – The Unified Command is continuing coordinated air, land, and water operations to mitigate, contain, and cleanup oily water and oiled debris in and near Codorus Creek and an unnamed tributary associated with a recent fire at a salvage yard in York, Pa.
Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Techniques (SCAT) crews are documenting shoreline conditions and mapping areas of oiling along the Codorus Creek, Susquehanna River, unnamed tributary located on the salvage yard. This information guides responders in their efforts to remove oil and oiled debris.
Fan-propelled boats (air boats) and utility boats are being used to safely access shallow and/or debris-laden sections of Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River. These small boats enable crews to place and adjust booms closer to shorelines and within narrow areas.
Response crews continue to deploy preventative booming on Codorus Creek and the Susquehanna River to help prevent downstream migration of oil and protect sensitive areas. Crews are coordinating with SCAT teams on boom placement to address water conditions and enhance the capture of surface oil and debris.
Aerial drones are capturing imagery of boom placement, river conditions, and containment operations on the unnamed tributary, Codorus Creek, and the Susquehanna River. These images give the Unified Command information to fine-tune boom locations and plan current and future containment and cleanup. Drone flights are weather-dependent.
Responders have collected water samples from the unnamed tributary located on the salvage yard property upstream, downstream, and adjacent to the incident. This data supports ongoing water quality assessments and helps define the extent of impacts from the fire. As of March 4th, preliminary laboratory results confirmed that mitigation efforts along the unnamed tributary were successfully preventing oil from migrating into Codorus Creek.
A website has been created to ensure information is readily accessible to the public.
Future Actions
Responders will continue to conduct aerial assessments and deploy resources to support containment and recovery operations. Water sampling is ongoing.
Unified Command will continue to provide updates on response activities to the public.
The Unified Command’s top priority is to ensure the health and safety of the affected public and responders.
To view the photo gallery associated with this release, click here.
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Update 1: Unified Command Works
to Contain and Remove Oil from Incident Runoff at Salvage Yard in York, Pa.
YORK, PA (March 4, 2026) – The Unified Command, consisting of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
(PADEP), York County Hazardous Materials Team, York Area Fire/York Regional
Emergency Management, and Spring Garden Township, continues to assess, contain
and recover oil and remove oiled debris in and near Codorus Creek and an
unnamed tributary located within a salvage yard in York, Pa.
Responders have deployed booms to collect and redirect surface oil
toward collection points in the unnamed tributary and Codorus Creek. Underflow
dams were constructed to mitigate any further discharge from the unnamed
tributary.
Underflow dams are a key tool used by oil spill responders to
contain oil, fuel, and floating contaminants in streams, ditches, and creeks
during environmental cleanup operations. They work by allowing cleaner water at
the bottom to pass through a pipe while trapping floating contaminants behind
the dam for recovery. These structures are critical for protecting water
sources and mitigating environmental damage in small- scale, remote, or
hard-to-reach locations.
Workers are also using mechanical tools and vacuums to recover and
remove oil and oily debris. Vacuum systems use suction to draw floating oil,
water-oil mixtures, and debris from surface water into storage tanks for future
disposal.
Future Actions
Responders will conduct boat operations, deploying preventative
boom in the Susquehanna River and secondary downstream locations. Workers will
also conduct Shoreline Cleanup and Assessment Techniques (SCAT) using aerial
drones to assess shoreline conditions and cleanup effectiveness. Water sampling
is ongoing.
Unified Command will continue to provide updates on ongoing
cleanup and assessment activities to the public.
The Unified Command’s top priority is to ensure the health and
safety of the affected public and responders.
To view the photo gallery
associated with this release, click here. To view the video clip
associated with this release, click here.
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Unified Command Responds to Salvage Yard Fire and Oil Spill in York, Pa.
YORK, PA (March 2, 2026) – Local, state, and federal emergency response personnel have formed a Unified Command in response to a building fire and associated oil spill that occurred at J&K Salvage in York, Pa., on February 25, 2026.
Just before 2 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, emergency responders were dispatched to a commercial fire in the Spring Garden Township on the property of the salvage yard located at 1099 Kings Mill Road. Responders extinguished the fire at approximately 4 pm. The fire melted several dozen containers holding approximately 10,000 gallons of various oils, which seeped into the soil and a nearby unnamed tributary that leads to the Codorus Creek, creating the potential for migration beyond the immediate site.
The response is being coordinated under a Unified Command comprised of:
- (EPA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- (PADEP) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- York County Hazardous Materials Team
- York Area Fire/York Regional Emergency Management
- Spring Garden Township
Supporting partners to the Unified Command include:
- U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team
- Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
- South Central PA Taskforce, a joint taskforce representing nine area counties
- Eastern York Emergency Management Agency
The Unified Command ensures that federal, state and local agencies are coordinating closely to protect public health and the environment. A Joint Information Center (JIC) has been established to coordinate clear and consistent updates for the public and the news media from the Unified Command.
Unified Command Activities to Date
Since February 25, responders have:
- Set up containment booms along Codorus Creek and constructed underflow dams in the unnamed tributary to mitigate any further discharge of oil.
- Contained seven drums of lithium-ion batteries damaged in the fire.
- Established air monitoring stations along the site perimeter.
- Collected water samples from downstream water intakes in the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville and Columbia, Pa.
Crews deployed on Monday, March 2, 2026, are monitoring air quality, positioning additional booms, and assessing oil pools along the Codorus and the Susquehanna River. Unified Command will continue to provide updates on ongoing cleanup and assessment activities to the public.
To view the photo gallery associated with this release, click here.
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