Photo courtesy of Washington Department of Transportation.

Update on fuel tanker spill near Forks

OLYMPIA – Work to clear an overturned fuel tanker truck from Highway 101 near Forks continues this evening. Flaggers are directing motorists in the area overnight, using the southbound lane for one-way alternating traffic.

The latest information indicates upwards of 3,500 gallons of fuel spilled from the tank trailer when it overturned. The truck’s front tank did not leak. Late this afternoon, crews righted the damaged, overturned trailer.

Response agencies and cleanup contractors are continuing efforts to recover spilled fuel, prevent the further spread of diesel downstream and assess environmental impacts. Additional environmental assessment of any impacts to fish, birds and wildlife will start again tomorrow morning.

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Earlier story:

OLYMPIA – Responders from multiple agencies are on the scene of an overturned tanker-truck on Highway 101 near Forks. The 9:45 a.m. accident caused an unknown amount of fuel to a get into a seasonal tributary of Fletcher Creek, which flows into the Hoh River.

Reports from the scene indicate the amount of fuel spilled could be upwards of 6,000 gallons.

The spill appears to be contained and no additional diesel leaking from the tanks.

Response agencies include the Washington State Patrol, Washington Dept. of Ecology and Washington Dept. of Transportation. The Hoh and Quileute tribes are on scene with their Ecology-provided spill response trailers. The trucking company hired Cowlitz Clean Sweep to protect the creek from further damage and help clean up the spilled fuel.

The collision has closed one lane of Highway 101 near the Lower Hoh Road (MP 167), and alternating, single-lane traffic control is in use.