Officials are urging residents to steer clear of the area around Point Higgins Elementary School in Ketchikan following a recent fuel spill. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough confirmed the incident occurred late last week, leading to immediate notifications to state and federal environmental authorities.
Officials stated the US Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation were contacted to coordinate containment and cleanup operations. Through a social media post, Borough officials announced that remediation efforts had already begun at the affected site to limit environmental damage.
Crews worked actively throughout the weekend, cutting brush, pumping contaminated material, and installing containment systems to stop the spread of diesel fuel. Authorities explained that although contractors have partial access to the property surrounding Point Higgins Elementary, it remains fully restricted for public safety reasons.
They closed nearby borough spaces, including Weiss Field and the Coast Guard Beach trial entrance, urging the public to avoid these locations. Officials stressed that these actions are precautionary, highlighting their commitment to protecting community health and the surrounding natural environment during the cleanup process.
Families were informed if the situation affected school operations or daily classroom activities. The exact cause of the diesel release has not been determined, and investigators are working to uncover details behind the incident.
