Propane Leak Causes Lodge Evacuation

Staff at the front desk of Zion lodge reported a propane leak at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of July 2nd. Zion dispatch transmitted emergency tones and ICS was established with ranger Kevin Killian as IC and ranger Keith Winslow as operations section chief. Winslow arrived on scene within minutes, set up a protective perimeter, and ordered the evacuation of the main Zion Lodge building and a nearby public restroom facility. The second responding ranger provided medical care to a Xanterra maintenance employee who had suffered a propane inhalation injury; additional patrol and park wildland fire units assisted in traffic control, enforcing nearby trail closures, and performing trail and building sweeps. Park maintenance employees, using breathing apparatus, had the tank shut off by 10 a.m. An investigation into the cause of the leak is currently underway. A mutual aid response was received from Springdale police, fire and ambulance and from an ambulance and crew from the town of Hurricane.