GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – On the morning of November 30^th, a tanker truck carrying 2,000 gallons of propane crashed off Colusa Hwy near Hatch Rd, sheering off a power pole before coming to rest on its side. The truck was ablaze and actively leaking propane when CAL FIRE crews arrived on scene shortly after the call came in at 8:49 am.

CAL FIRE Captain Mike Conaty described the scene as “a very involved incident”. The accident, considered a level 3 hazard, required a full response from the CAL FIRE interagency HAZMAT and caused the evacuation of residents within a mile-radius of the crash site. Downed power lines, the gas leak and the rural location of the accident created specific challenges for firefighters, who were required to remain a safe distance from the vehicle in the event of an explosion.  Four water tender trucks provided a continuous supply of water by shuttling it from the city to the remote location and ditch water was utilized to prevent the break of the propane tank.

Conaty called the whole operation “a balancing act”. Safety protocol mandated that firefighters attack the blaze from a distance and monitor a grass fire that had spread to a nearby field.  Firefighters got between the spreading fire and nearby homes and a large solar panel array to prevent any further damage. Overall, an estimated 70 acres were burned.

Resources from CAL FIRE, Interagency HAZMAT Team, Gridley Fire Department, Gridley Police Department, Chico Fire Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and HAZMAT more responded to the scene. CAL FIRE units remained on scene until 3:45 am Tuesday morning.

The blaze was contained and what could have been a large explosion prevented. The driver of the truck escaped the burning truck and was taken to the hospital for treatment.