Guarding Against Flames: How to Protect Storage Tanks from Wildfires
Are you prepared for the threat wildfires pose to your oil storage tanks? With the frequency and severity of wildfires on the rise, it’s crucial for aboveground storage tank (AST) and underground storage tank (UST) owners to prioritize preparedness. The vulnerability of facilities with oil storage has been brought into sharp focus in recent years due to a dramatic increase in wildfire incidents across the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recognizing this escalating threat, published a wildfire preparation guide containing the recommended operations and protocols. This guide aims to help AST and UST owners and operators prepare for and respond to wildfires.
Why It Matters
In 2022, the U.S. experienced 68,988 wildfires, which incinerated a total of 7,577,183 acres. As reported extensively, Canada has experienced an extreme wildfire season so far in 2023 that has been visibly witnessed by the drifting smoke engulfing much of the eastern U.S. In Canada, the average wildfire season burns about 6 million acres of land each year, but almost 25 million acres of land and counting have burned this year. The trend in the U.S. shows that the number of wildfires per year has remained relatively consistent, but wildfires are burning more acres per fire each year. As this trend continues, sites that store petroleum products across the country are at greater risk.
In a wildfire event, there may be little to no time to prepare as wildfires can spread as fast as 14 mph. Owners and operators of UST systems or oil ASTs must be prepared to help mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects and environmental harm that could occur from the impact of a wildfire. Therefore, it’s crucial to develop a contingency plan consisting of a facility site plan with UST and AST locations labeled, emergency contact information, an emergency equipment shutdown plan, a fire preparation checklist, and a facility restoration checklist.
Stay Alert, Stay Aware
One of the main strategies outlined by the EPA is promoting awareness of drought conditions as well as fire watches and warnings in your area. Regardless of their location, all UST and AST owners and operators are urged to take fire precautions. After all, being proactive and prepared is the best way to ensure the facility can return to service quickly after a fire.
There are multiple alert notifiers available. Several apps provide alerts from the National Weather Service, or you can sign up for alerts from your local National Weather Service office. The U.S. Drought Monitor also offers a valuable tool, assessing potential risk for wildfires and publishing weekly updates.
Preparing UST and AST Systems for Wildfires
Owners and operators are advised to be proactive and take action before a fire is near or heading toward their facility. Additional preparations should be made as the fire draws closer. In the event of an evacuation due to an impending fire, certain steps should be taken – provided it is safe to do so.
The following table is an EPA-recommended list of actions to be taken for UST facilities depending on the distance of the wildfire from the facility.
| Recommended Actions for UST Facilities in Case of Wildfire | ||||
| Action | Prepare every season | Days to prepare | Hours to prepare | Evacuation is imminent |
| Take photos or videos of the system. | X | |||
| Keep valves open on aboveground piping to avoid isolating a section without a relief valve. | X | X | X | X |
| Secure power at the electrical panel by turning off the circuit breakers to all dispensers, pumps, and air compressors. If possible, leave the tank monitoring system turned on. | X | X | ||
| Turn off the submersible pumps at the standard control box | X | X | ||
| If available, print an inventory and status report from the environmental monitoring system. If not available, note tank inventory. | X | X | ||
| Close shear valve (also known as dispenser crash or emergency valve). | X | X | ||
| Install signs that facility is closed. | X | X | ||
| Depress the emergency stop switch. | X | |||
The following table is an EPA-recommended list of actions to be taken for AST facilities depending on the distance of the wildfire from the facility.
| Recommended Actions for AST Facilities in Case of Wildfire | ||||
| Action | Prepare every season | Days to prepare | Hours to prepare | Evacuation is imminent |
| Keep the AST area clear of brush, grass, and other fire sources. Keep surrounding areas mowed and maintained. | X | |||
| Inspect tank for key safety device functionality, especially the emergency vents. | X | X | ||
| Keep valves open on aboveground piping to avoid isolating a section without a relief valve. | X | X | X | X |
| Secure power at the electrical panel by turning off the circuit breakers to all dispensers, pumps, and air compressors. If possible, leave the tank monitoring system turned on. | X | X | ||
| If available, print an inventory and status report from the environmental monitoring system. If unavailable, note tank inventory. | X | X | ||
| Take photos or videos of the system. | X | X | ||
| Remove combustibles, stored equipment, drums, and other unnecessary items from the AST area. | X | X | ||
| Close shear valve (also known as dispenser crash or emergency valve). | X | X | ||
| Install signs that facility is closed. | X | X | ||
| If there is a safe means available, relieve pressure from aboveground piping. | X | X | ||
| Depress the emergency stop switch. | X | |||
Both UST and AST preparations follow a similar structure yet contain specific measures due to the unique characteristics of each type of storage system.
Upon returning after evacuation, certain safety precautions must be followed. The first step after the site is clear of hazards is to inspect and take inventory of the tanks for a proper assessment of the damage.
For more information on these specific measures and detailed guidance, the EPA’s wildfire preparation guide is an invaluable resource for all UST and AST owners and operators.
The escalating threat of wildfires in the era of climate change is clear. By staying alert, being proactive, and following the guidance provided by organizations like the EPA, storage tank owners and operators can protect their assets, ensure the continuity of their operations, and most importantly, safeguard the lives of their employees and local communities.
If you have questions or would like to learn more regarding storage tank compliance, best practices, SPCC plans and regulations, or wildfire preparedness, contact us for a free consultation.
Check out our free, downloadable SPCC inspection checklist template here.
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