Police Bomb Tech Issues Warning About Grenade Fuses in Columbia River

If anyone comes across an object similar in this Columbia River area down river from Umatilla, call OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 922-5751.

Photo of grenade fuse courtesy: Oregon State Police

(UMATILLA, Ore.) - Oregon State Police (OSP) is warning the public of a potential danger involving a bag of grenade fuses reportedly thrown into the Columbia River from the Interstate 82 Bridge.

Explosive technicians warn that the potentially explosive fuses possibly could harm someone if found and handled inappropriately.

Information developed as part of an ongoing investigation indicates on Saturday, January 31st, someone reportedly tossed a white plastic grocery bag containing 45 grenade fuses from the Interstate 82 Bridge into mid-channel of the Columbia River.

This person wanted to dispose of the grenade fuses after another individual brought them to his Hermiston-area work to show them to him. OSP Detective Dennis Wagner, a certified OSP Hazardous Devices Technician, cautioned that even though there is a remote possibility someone may come across the disposed grenade fuses, it is still important to warn the public that they may pose a significant danger.

"These fuses pose a danger similar to a large blasting cap and if handled may cause serious injury," said Wagner.

If anyone comes across an object similar in this Columbia River area down river from Umatilla, call OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 922-5751.