California 38 still closed after overturned tanker fuel spill
California 38 in San Bernardino County remained closed Monday near Angelus Oaks after a tanker truck spilled 4,000 gallons of fuel onto the road and into a nearby creek that feeds into the Santa Ana River, authorities said.
Concerned about the potential environmental damage to the creek and local water supplies, San Bernardino County firefighters and hazardous materials teams built a dirt dam to prevent its spread downstream after the Friday crash.
A 4.8-mile stretch of the highway from Angeles Oaks to Cedar Falls east of Onyx Summit was closed until further notice, a spokeswoman with the California Department of Transportation said. Drivers headed to Big Bear were advised to use California 330 and California 18 as alternatives.
California Highway Patrol Lt. Kevin Porter said the truck’s driver told investigators his load of more than 8,000 gallons of fuel shifted, causing his truck to flip over about 9:30 a.m. Friday, a mile north of Angelus Oaks.
The cleanup may take some time because of the potential environmental threat, officials said.
San Bernardino County fire officials said the tanker truck, which was heading from Upland to Big Bear, lost 1,200 gallons of diesel.
Communities, including Redlands, were notified of potential issues with the water flowing from the creek into the Santa Ana River.
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