NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Truck crash spills hot ‘asphalt binder’ in California forest

Truck Crash Asphalt Spill
Posted

GASQUET, Calif. (AP) — Officials say a truck that crashed on a remote highway spilled 2,000 gallons of hot asphalt binder in a Northern California forest last week and the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

The highway patrol says the semi-truck had a damaged tire as it traveled on Hwy. 199 in Del Norte County on Tuesday. The trailer eventually overturned, spilling hot asphalt binder, which began seeping into the Smith River.

National forest officials say the binder solidified in water, which limited its spread. The highway was closed during cleanup operations.



,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

01/23/2026

Fog Late

-° / 44°

15%

Saturday

01/24/2026

Partly Cloudy

51° / 40°

7%

Sunday

01/25/2026

Clouds Early/Clearing Late

60° / 40°

3%

Monday

01/26/2026

Mostly Clear

63° / 38°

2%

Tuesday

01/27/2026

Partly Cloudy

63° / 43°

2%

Wednesday

01/28/2026

Partly Cloudy

60° / 43°

17%

Thursday

01/29/2026

Mostly Clear

60° / 42°

7%

Friday

01/30/2026

Partly Cloudy

63° / 43°

5%