Industry News
Yesterday afternoon, four people were injured after a yurt exploded at Deer Valley Resort, UT. The explosion happened within hours of a condominium explosion in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Four people inside the yurt outside the Montage Deer Valley, a luxury ski-in ski-out hotel and spa complex on the slopes of Deer Valley, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The yurt was significantly damaged.
“There was a pretty big concussive blast for the people who were inside the yurt at the time, and they were immediately cared for. There was no significant fire to speak of. It was quickly mitigated.”
– Battalion Chief Darren Nelson
Maintenance was being done on the yurt’s furnace at the time of the blast, although the cause of the explosion is under investigation. Deer Valley in Utah and Mammoth Lakes in California have received extraordinary snowfall this season, and gas pipelines cannot handle this extra load.
While the exact cause is yet to be confirmed, it is important to remember to clear snow off gas tanks, fill pipes, and vents. Snow or ice accumulations can cause parts of your propane system to crack or break, resulting in a gas leak. A blocked vent can cause a back-up of carbon monoxide in your home. If your tank is entirely buried, make sure to attach a brightly colored flag to the top of your propane tank so that it can be spotted easily. Never use a shovel against or on top of your tank or a vent, and never kick your tank. Only use your hands or a broom to remove snow to avoid damaging equipment. If you do smell gas, notify your gas provider and move to a safe distance.
Deer Valley has received 512″ of fresh snow this season, an all-time record and significantly more than its 300″ average, and has a 135″ base, which is 176% of average for this time of year. The forecast shows a further two feet in the next ten days. Thanks to all this, the resort has extended its season by a week, closing April 23rd.
