The provincial government reported a spill of fire retardant on the northbound lanes of Route 11 stretching from Jacquet River to Charlo. The incident, involving 50 to 100 liters of fire retardant spread over several kilometers, was first disclosed by the province around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. An update shared on Facebook on Thursday confirmed that the spill, which has now dried, is not deemed harmful to humans or the environment.
The public is advised to stay alert to personnel present at the spill site. The spill is attributed to a contractor working for the Department of Natural Resources. Fire retardant, containing ammonium polyphosphate as a key component, is commonly utilized to impede fire propagation and is also utilized as a fertilizer. The spill has resulted in the presence of a conspicuous “brightly colored solution” in the affected area.