California 38 may shut down at least a week after tanker spill

California 38 near Angelus Oaks will shut down for at least a week and perhaps several weeks after a tanker truck flipped over Friday, spilling 4,000 gallons of fuel onto the roadway 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 the spread of the fuel downstream.

California Highway Patrol Lt. Kevin Porter said the truck’s driver told investigators that his load of more than 8,000 gallons of fuel shifted, causing his truck to flip over about 9:30 a.m., a mile north of Angelus Oaks.

Porter said a narrow 3-mile stretch of the highway will remain closed. The cleanup may take some time because of the potential environmental threat, CHP and California Department of Transportation 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.

Environmental Protection Agency officials are expected to examine the scene Saturday. Communities, including Redlands were notified of potential issues with the water flowing from the creek into the Santa Ana River.

Drivers heading to Big Bear are advised to use California 330 and California 18 as alternatives.

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