Overview
- A telecommunications crew boring for fiber-optic cable struck a 16-inch crude pipeline near East Cesar Chavez and North Eastern avenues early Friday, May 22, and officials estimate about 2,400 gallons leaked before the line was shut off.
- Oil flowed onto streets, into storm drains and reached the Los Angeles River, producing visible sheens as far downstream as the Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.
- Multi-agency responders have isolated the pipeline, started excavation and repair at the rupture site, and deployed booms, skimmers and vacuum trucks to contain and remove oil from the river.
- Wildlife teams coordinated by UC Davis’ Oiled Wildlife Care Network have recovered and are treating about 25 oiled birds at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care & Education Center.
- Authorities report no human injuries, community air monitoring is active, road closures remain near the site, and the pipeline operator and state agencies are continuing environmental testing and an investigation.