In the early hours of this morning, San Bernardino County Fire crews rushed to the scene of a reported traffic collision involving a tractor-trailer in the Cajon Pass area. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with the sight of a gasoline tanker truck that had veered off Interstate 15, resting approximately 50-75 feet from the roadway.
The incident, which occurred between Kenwood and Blue Cut along the northbound lanes of Interstate 15, sparked concerns due to the significant spillage of fuel. According to initial assessments, approximately 60 gallons of fuel had leaked from the damaged tanker, while the vehicle was carrying a load of around 8,000 gallons of gasoline. This prompted authorities to elevate the response to a Hazardous Materials Incident.
In response to the hazardous conditions, multiple San Bernardino County Fire Hazardous Materials Teams were deployed to the scene to contain the leak and facilitate the safe transfer of fuel from the compromised tanker. Specially trained firefighters worked in coordination with law enforcement and the fuel trucking company to offload the product into another tanker truck. Employing specialized equipment, firefighters carefully drilled into each tank, ensuring the safe and efficient transfer of fuel while prioritizing concerns over flammability and environmental impact.
Despite the challenges posed by the operation, firefighters successfully managed to offload over 8,650 gallons of fuel from the crashed tanker truck. The process, which required meticulous attention to safety protocols, spanned over six hours before completion. Once the hazardous materials were safely contained, the scene was turned over to authorities from CALTRANS, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and a tow company for cleanup operations.
Fortunately, amidst the chaos, there were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians directly related to the hazardous material incident. However, one individual involved in the original traffic collision was transported by ambulance for medical attention.
San Bernardino County Fire responded promptly to the incident with the deployment of two Engines, two Hazardous Materials Teams, and two Chief Officers, underscoring the coordinated effort to address the emergency.
