06/01/2026
This is an update on the Nippon Dynawave Liquor Spill.
Background
On May 26, local authorities responded to a report of a chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. facility in Longview, WA. A tank containing up to 900,000 gallons of white liquor, a superheated chemical mixture used to break down wood into paper pulp, catastrophically failed. There were 11 fatalities and multiple injuries.
Recovery and Hospitalizations
All missing victims of this horrific accident have been recovered and identified, and their families have been notified.
Of the nine personnel injured in the incident and transported to the hospital, two are deceased, four have been treated and released (including one firefighter), and three remain in care.
Water Safety
Longview's drinking water remains safe.
Water being discharged to the Columbia River remains at safe pH levels. Most of the White Liquor from the tank failure did not leave the facility site, and on-site treatment efforts have been successful. The pH levels measured in the ditch network today are in normal range and continue to be of no threat to public health. Water pH monitoring continues in the ditch network as crews pump and flush fresh water throughout the system, which helps dilute pH levels.
Even though todayβs test results show that pH levels have returned to a normal range, we are still asking residents to continue avoiding affected sloughs, dikes, and drainage ditches until final confirmation is complete. Residents should also keep pets away from these areas.
Wildlife
To date, nearly 2,000 deceased fish have been collected from the ditch systems in locations adjacent to the incident response area and in west Longview. The majority of fish collected today were recovered from Coal Creek Slough just outside the main pump station at the western end of the ditch system. The pH levels within the slough outside the pump station remain at safe levels.
Many of these fish may have died within the ditch system and are being expelled as part of flushing efforts over the past several days. Species collected include common carp, catfish, sunfish, bass, peamouth chub, bridgelip sucker, and redside shiner. Crews also collected a single hatchery-raised coho salmon.
The number of reported fish is likely to grow following additional flushing of the system, and fish may be visible in areas not previously observed. We ask that everyone avoid dead wildlife. The public can continue to report sightings of dead or distressed fish or wildlife by calling 1-800-22-BIRDS.
Air Monitoring
Around the clock air monitoring at the response site and in surrounding communities continues to show the air is safe. There are 5 air monitoring stations at nearby schools, three fixed stations at the response site and pump stations, and numerous roving air monitoring stations with response crews around the community. Stationary and mobile air monitoring continues to show zero detections of harmful gases at any level.
Site Cleanup
Cleanup operations are still in progress at the facility. Equipment used to pump and sweep remaining product will remain on-site for until cleanup is complete. A map showing air and pH water monitoring locations is now available.
Additional Resources & Contacts
Below is a list of contact numbers for this response. Please share this information broadly.
Incident website: Ecology.wa.gov/nipponDynawave
Incident photos: Nippon Dynawave Industrial Incident | Flickr.
A map showing air and pH water monitoring locations is now available: https://ecology.wa.gov/map-for-nippon-dynawave-industrial-incident
Wildlife Reporting Hotline
Phone: 1-800-22-BIRDS
