SAIPAN — The CNMI Emergency Operations Center-State Warning Point and the Office of the Governor’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management office issued an area advisory announcing scheduled detonation activity by the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Detachment Marianas at Saipan’s Marpi Blow Pit on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.
The operation will be conducted in conjunction with the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on both days at the Blow Pit location for U.S. Navy EOD and DFEMS/UXO disposal activities.
Officials said the general location of the activity will be within a 500-foot radius on all quadrants up to 2,500 feet above sea level, and that Marpi Road will be closed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the duration of the operation.
Marpi Landfill, Banzai Cliff, Suicide Cliff, and the Grotto will also be closed for the duration of the operation, according to the advisory.
Gov. David M. Apatang is strongly advising the public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from the area during the indicated dates and times.
For questions, the advisory lists the CNMI Emergency Operations Center-State Warning Point at (670) 237-8000, VHF Marine Channel 16, and HF Single Side Band Radio on 5.205.0.
