MOBILE, Ala. – The Coast Guard Research and Development Center, in conjunction with the Navy’s Naval Research Laboratory, Joint Maritime Test Facility, and other Federal, State, and local stakeholders will be conducting the first in a series of three controlled test burns of diesel fuel at Little Sand Island in Mobile Bay, Friday.
There will be three test burns. The first will occur on Friday with approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel. Two remaining burns of approximately 180 and 1,080 gallons are planned for Saturday and Sunday and will take weather into account to ensure no smoke encroaches on the City of Mobile.
This pre-planned burn of diesel fuel will allow researchers to gather critical data to help oil spill responders determine best practices for operational use of in-situ burning, develop new equipment, procedures, and train response personnel.
In-situ burning of oil as a response option was used to large success during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and helped to significantly reduce environmental impacts in the marine environment. This strategy is an important response option when responding to oil spills away from the shoreline.
Media inquiries may be directed to Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Brandstaetter of Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-5697.