SPOKANE, Wash --- Oil train derailments are rare in Spokane area despite Friday's train derailment in Oregon.
A train derailed near Mosier, Oregon while traveling through the Columbia Gorge. The train passed through Spokane County just hours before derailing.
Almost 800 trains pass through Spokane County every year, but there has only been one spill from a train since 2011. An average of 15 oil trains pass through each week.
In 2004, 400 gallons of diesel spilled from the train's engine and caused a massive cleanup near Colfax. That was the last time an oil train derailed in the Spokane area. In the 12 years since, it has been a calm situation.
Currently, an average of 780 oil trains pass through Spokane County each year. Other than the 2004 derailment, there has only been one other incident with an oil train. It happened when a train had a minor oil spill in Spokane Valley a few years ago.
Despite reassuring numbers here in Spokane, the situation nationally is a bit more concerning.
According to the Department of Transportation, oil trains spilled more crude oil more in 2014 than in any other year.
Oil spills from trains in North Idaho are also rare with only two spills in the last five years. Since 2011 train spills have caused $1 million in damages in Washington.