Pinedale on the Web!
Pinedale, Wyoming
Home | Calendar of Events | Photo Gallery | Local Businesses |

At approximately 12:07 on Tuesday December 6, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls reporting a fire at the Falcon compressor station in the Jonah Field. These reports indicated flames, thick black smoke as well as natural gas venting from the facility. Shortly thereafter the SCSO received reports of the vented gas igniting and of primary and secondary explosions.

Sublette County EMS, deputies and firefighters from Pinedale, Big Piney and Boulder responded to the scene. Farson Fire/Rescue also responded to assist. Preliminary reports indicate that all personnel who were signed into the facility are accounted for and there are no fatalities. Two patients were transported by ambulance with pre-existing medical conditions that were exacerbated by the incident. The fire is being allowed to burn out on its own while being monitored by Sublette County firefighters.

An Emergency Shutdown System was in place at the facility and was activated in order to stop the flow of natural gas to and from the compressor station. The cause of the incident is undetermined at this time. An investigation into the cause of the fire will be initiated once the scene is secure. Wyoming Homeland Security, OSHA and the State Fire Marshall’s office have been notified of this incident. Enterprise Products, the owner of the Falcon compression station will be conducting the investigation.

Stephen Smith, Public Information Officer
Authority: Sheriff Dave Lankford

Related Links Explosion in the Jonah Field - Pinedale Online, Dec. 6, 2011 (3 photos) Two injured in fire, explosions at Wyoming natural gas site - Casper Star-Tribune, By Jeremy Fugleberg, Dec. 6, 2011 Impacts on Pinedale Anticline and Jonah Field gas companies from Falcon shut down - Pinedale Online, Dec. 7, 2011, (10 photos)