Downtown Redding Fuel Spill is Now Flowing into the Sacramento River

Early Friday morning, a tanker hauling 8,000 gallons of fuel overturned in downtown Redding, causing significant road closures and cleanup. Now, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed that the fuel is flowing into the Sacramento River.

CDFW crews have deployed multiple dams to block the spill into the river under the Cypress Bridge. Dead fish have already been spotted in Calaboose Creek and the Sacramento River. A hazmat team from Chico has been deployed to the area to clean up the spill.

“We have crews on the scene now who are still evaluating it and assessing,” said CDFW spokesman Eric Laughlin. “At this point it is still early to understand the environmental impacts.”

An initial investigation from the Redding Police indicated the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and overturned, blocking Pine Street and closing 7 different roadways in the area.

The tanker was hauling a mix of gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products when it overturned. It’s still unknown how much of the 8,000 gallons spilled out of the truck. The fuel quickly made its way into storm drains, which eventually spill out into the Sacramento River.

We will continue to update the situation as more information is made available.