An area off Cavitt Drive was briefly evacuated Tuesday evening as firefighters from two agencies responded to a leaking propane tank near a parking area.
Upon arrival, firefighters from Folsom’s Engine 37 quickly identified the leaking tank at 1800 Cavitt Drive, which is home to Costco, and assessed the potential dangers to those in the vicinity of the property, which also houses an automotive fueling station.
The crew assumed incident command and initiated an evacuation of the immediate area as additional resources were requested. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District dispatched three units to assist, including Hazmat Engine 109, Metro Engine 109, and Battalion 7.
According to the Folsom Fire Department, the two departments worked together to deescalate the situation by setting up a flaring operation. This process involved extending a line from the damaged propane tank to a safe distance, opening the line, and igniting the fuel as it was released to burn it off.
The procedure safely drained the tank, allowing for repairs or replacement by the appropriate utility company or property owner. Dispatch records indicate that the operation took approximately 27 minutes to complete, with all of the tank’s fuel safely released and burned off.
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