GAS FLARING IN MICHIGAN STATE FOREST/FIRE FIGHTERS CALLED TO SCENE

For Immediate Release July22, 2013  Kalkaska, Michigan
Submitted by FARWatershed.com and respectmyplanet.org.
Contact: Jacque Rose, FARWatershed@gmail.com, 517-410-8959

GAS FLARING IN MICHIGAN STATE FOREST/FIRE FIGHTERS CALLED TO SCENE

Flames soar above treetops in Kalkaska County

Gas Flare off the Garfield 1-25, July 20, 2013. Photo courtesy of respectmyplanet.org. More photos and video

The Encana State Garfield 1-25 HD 1 well is located in Garfield Township, Kalkaska County, Michigan. Situated amid state forests and palatial wetlands, the natural gas well was completed via the controversial hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” process, in December of 2012, using 12,539,639 gallons of water. The well originates in Section 36 of Garfield Township and the horizontal portion continues into Section 25.

Garfield Wetlands

Garfield Well being Drilled

 (Photos courtesy of respectmyplanet.org)

Pipeline construction from the Garfield well site.  Photo courtesy of respectmyplanet.org

and Encana has begun flaring gas from the well in a big way.

The pipeline is currently under construction from the well site:

Daylight aspect of Garfield flare.  Photo courtesy of respectmyplanet.org.  More photos and video

The Garfield Fire Department responded to a call at 11:00 p.m., July 20, 2013 from a local resident alarmed by the flames. Fire Department officials state they had not been informed prior to flaring by Encana, nor have they received any specialized training in connection with fire suppression on a frack pad—which may contain hazardous chemicals, some of which are deemed to be “proprietary” and are not disclosed—even to first responders. There is a high fire danger rating for Kalkaska County, and  burning permits are prohibited at the present time in Garfield Township.  

Fire trucks going into well site.  Photo courtesy of respectmyplanet.org

“Encana needs to ensure that our Kalkaska County EMS and firefighters are properly informed, properly trained and properly equipped to deal with all potential  emergency situations which could develop on their well pads”, states Paul Brady, Kalkaska County resident. “Large amounts of volatile hydrocarbons and chemicals are present on these sites.   Protection of our first responders should be top priority”. 

Encana plans an additional 500 wells in Michigan, and a second well in Garfield Township, to originate in Section 23. The well is permitted and staked but construction of the pad has not yet begun.  An additional thirteen wells are currently permitted or applied for on Sunset Trail in Oliver and Excelsior Townships.