GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Monday, July 27, the Grand Junction Fire Department responded to an industrial fire at TotalEnergies Cray Valley, located at 569 24 ¼ Road. Multiple callers reported explosions and heavy black smoke coming from the facility.
The first arriving crews encountered a significant industrial fire and immediately established a defensive firefighting operation. Firefighters applied large volumes of water to extinguish the fire while simultaneously cooling adjacent reactive materials that were at risk of igniting.
Due to the amount of water required to suppress the fire, responders closely monitored runoff from the property. Firefighters confirmed that the majority of the contaminated water was being successfully contained within on-site retention ponds specifically designed for that purpose. As a precaution, the incident was reported to the National Response Center, the federal point of contact for reporting oil, chemical, radiological, biological, and other hazardous substance releases into the environment.
The Grand Junction Police Department assisted with traffic control, closing Riverside Parkway between 24 Road and 25 Road for the duration of the incident to protect the public and provide a safe operating environment for emergency personnel.
Firefighters remained on scene until approximately midnight, continuing to cool reactive materials and ensuring the fire was fully extinguished. Grand Junction Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team members returned to the facility Monday morning to continue evaluating the scene, monitor remaining hazards, and collaborate with facility representatives and partner agencies on cleanup efforts.
One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.
The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.
Fire Safety Reminder
The Grand Junction Fire Department urges residents to exercise extreme caution during the current period of hot, dry, and windy weather. These conditions can significantly increase fire danger and allow even small fires to spread rapidly.
Residents are encouraged to:
Properly extinguish smoking materials and dispose of them safely.
Avoid parking vehicles on dry grass.
Use caution when operating equipment that may produce sparks.
Secure trailer chains to prevent them from dragging on roadways and creating sparks.
For more information, contact the Grand Junction Fire Department Community Outreach Office at (970) 549-5800 or [email protected].