Soberanes Fire fuel truck accident

The California Highway Patrol is investigating an accident on Carmel Valley Road near the Ranch helicopter base that involved a fuel truck pulling a trailer, according to an official with the Soberanes Fire.

The driver was not injured in the accident that happened at 6:40 p.m. Monday.

The fuel truck pulling a trailer made a turn and went off the road, spilling 300-500 gallons of aviation fuel, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

When the tank of fuel rolled over, a gash caused it to rupture. Crews responded from local areas, including Carmel Valley. “We avoided a greater spill because they were able to respond quickly,” said Eric Coughran, Soberanes Fire public information officer.

The remaining aviation fuel inside the damaged fuel tank was off-loaded into another fuel tender used in the Soberanes Fire, Coughran explained.

KION is awaiting a call back regarding details of the fuel clean-up.

More than a hundred helicopters are used in the Soberanes Fire. The expected containment date is Friday, September 30.

The wildfire, which began July 22 with an abandoned campfire, is now 200 square miles and 81 percent contained.

Crews today are working to keep the fire from crossing Tassajara Road. That’s according to the U.S. Forest Service.