Abbotsford Creek Firefighting Foam Leak Alerts Residents

The City of Abbotsford is developing plans to clean up the area after firefighting foam leaked into a stream on Wednesday, raising concerns among area residents.

According to Fire Chief Erick Peterson, local fire crews were adding firefighting foam — a chemical foam used to put out fires — to a fire truck as part of a routine procedure when a disconnected hose accidentally released the foam into the city’s stormwater drainage system. The foam then flowed into Stoney Creek on Wednesday and was visible to passersby.

Morgan Campbell, who lives just across the creek, said she saw some foam the next morning. She said there was a strong odor coming from the creek that she described as “almost like chlorine in a swimming pool mixed with bleach.”

“I got a migraine,” she said.

She also noticed dead fish in the stream.

“It was truly devastating.”

The city said it is working with the provincial environment ministry and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to resolve the spill.

According to Peterson, officers are conducting an investigation to determine what exactly happened and how to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future.

“This is a beloved area of ​​our community,” he said. “Again, I am deeply sorry this has happened and we will do everything we can to remedy it.”

Keep animals away

Campbell is concerned about the potential impact on pets because Stoney Creek is located near a dog park where residents often let their pets run through the water.

She panicked when she learned of the leak via a community Facebook group on Thursday because her own cat had simply wandered outside. Xena, the cat, was a little sick all day but was safe, she added.

The city advises residents to keep a safe distance and not allow their pets to approach the cleaning area.