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Fond du Lac Fire responds to oil slick in river

Posted at 10:53 AM, Jun 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-19 19:15:47-04

Boaters should steer clear of the Fond du Lac River south of the Lakeside west boat launch after areas of oil sheen were found Monday morning.

Just after 9 a.m., Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched to the Scott St. Bridge in the area of Scott St. and Water St. for a report of a large "oil slick," Chief of Fire Prevention Troy Haase said.

The FDLFR Hazmat crew found areas of oil sheen floating on top of the water and deployed hard booming with an oil absorbent boom across the river.

The source is still unknown, but Haase said it might have happened from storm water run-off from the large amount of rain in the area lately.

The floating booming will stay in the river for a few days to collect any more oil, Haase said.

It is located just south of the Lakeside west boat launch, and so boaters should be aware that travel south of the boat launch is impassable, Haase said.

The Department of Natural Resources was also contacted about the oil sheen, but crews believe there is no health threat to wildlife in the river or to anyone in the area.