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The spill resulted from a fuel tanker rollover that was reported just before 2:30 p.m. in the 8800 block of E. Highway 20, a quarter-mile off of the highway, according to the initial California Highway Patrol report.
Initial reports were that 700 gallons of kerosene were spilled because of the tanker rolling over.
A Jonas Oil fuel tanker had rolled down a hillside while making a delivery to a private residence. The driver reported to officials that he tried to miss the branches of a tree that had encroached into his lane by driving onto the right shoulder.
However, the road's shoulder was soft and the truck slid off, rolling two to three times, according to estimates from officials at the scene.
The truck came to rest on its passenger side – approximately 100 feet off the roadway – against an oak tree. One of the tank's vent caps was damaged, causing the spill.
The driver reported to officials that only three of the tank's four compartments contained some amount of fuel, though it was unknown just how much remained after a morning of deliveries.
Officials at the scene said the driver was wearing his seat belt and was able to get out of the truck on his own. He reported being unharmed and denied medical attention, but was assessed by a paramedic on scene. He later was taken to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for a mandatory blood draw, as is common in crashes.
Jonas had representatives on scene shortly after the incident occurred, providing assistance and information to the incident command set up at the scene.
The initial fire crew on scene disabled the trucks electrical system and set up a hazardous materials leak containment system. The Lake County Hazmat Unit arrived on scene and then secured the damaged area and stopped the leak.
After an assessment by officials on scene, it was determined that in order for the tow company to recover the vehicle safely, a “stinger operation” would have to occur, in which the fuel tank's compartments are tapped and drilled into and then vacuumed of there fluid contents into another tanker.
This operation requires a minimum of six hazmat trained personnel, but only three of Lake County's team were available to respond, so a mutual aid request was made to neighboring Mendocino County's Redwood Empire Hazardous Incident Team, and they responded.
Two tow and recovery trucks were called in from Pope Valley; they winched off the tanker to provide stabilization so the crews could work safely around the vehicle.
REHIT arrived approximately three hours into the incident, and a plan was made involving the four agencies on scene – Northshore Fire, Cal Fire, Lake County Hazmat and REHIT. As night fell, crews worked together getting equipment to the site.
In just under an hour, the stinger operation was able to remove 1,085 gallons of kerosene were removed from the truck.
Officials said it will be determined how much of the trucks kerosene was lost once the truck's delivery logs were scrutinized.
The tanker's maximum capacity was 2,800 gallons, but with an unknown amount delivered, hazmat officials estimated somewhere between 100 to 600 gallons spilled onto the hillside.
The crews had a debriefing and the all the command staff had high praise for the teamwork of the agencies on scene.
Northshore Fire Protection District responded with a chief, deputy chief, two engines, medic unit, rescue, support unit and water tender; Lake County Fire responded with the hazmat unit and a division chief; Cal Fire responded with an engine; and also responding were the California Environmental Health Agency, California Department of Fish and Game and CHP.
Nearly 30 emergency personnel were on hand representing the six agencies.
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