Hazmat to assess Grass Valley after Hemp Plant burns on Sunday, Nov. 20

A recent photo of the hemp plant that burned in Grass Valley in Sherman County. The town of 130-plus residents had to be evacuated over concerns of chemical exposure. The hemp plant was operating in the former Grass Valley school. Grass Valley is about 40 miles south of the Columbia River on Highway 97 on the main route to Bend, Oregon.

From Sherman County Sheriff’s Office:
All photos from Sherman County Sheriff’s Office's Facebook page

Residents of Grass Valley are still unable to return to their homes this morning, Nov. 21, as possible chemical contamination from a Hemp processing plant fire is assessed.

The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, according to the Sherman County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

Other news agencies have reported that 5 people were injured in the blaze, one seriously.

This morning, Nov. 21, the Sheriff’s office said “evacuation remains in effect. Teams from the Oregon State Fire Marshal‘s office, DEQ, and hazmat are coming this morning. Once they give the all-clear, the evacuation will be lifted.”