Solis Issues Statement on Crude Oil Pipeline Spill in East Los Angeles

County agencies respond as cleanup and containment operations continue.

EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement today on a pipeline rupture in unincorporated East Los Angeles that resulted in a crude oil spill:

“Earlier today, a petroleum pipeline was struck during underground construction near Eastern Avenue and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, causing a significant release of crude oil into the roadway, storm drain system and the Los Angeles River, with impacts extending downstream.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, crews responded at approximately 3:21 a.m. to reports of a hazardous materials incident near Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Eastern Avenue. Preliminary information indicates construction activity struck the pipeline, resulting in the release of crude oil.

The leak has since been controlled and is no longer actively releasing oil into the streets. However, crude oil reached the Los Angeles River, with impacts reported downstream near Rosecrans Avenue in Paramount.

I am calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into how this occurred and to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable. The environmental impacts of this spill are deeply concerning, and all agencies involved must respond with urgency.

Cleanup, containment and monitoring operations remain ongoing and are expected to continue throughout the weekend, and the affected intersection will remain closed. For road closure updates, residents are encouraged to visit pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures and may also sign up for email and text alerts.

Given the timing of the incident and its proximity to the school day, the Los Angeles Unified School District was promptly notified to help ensure student safety.

I want to thank the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Department of Public Works, the Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol for their swift response to contain the spill and secure the area. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner agencies remain engaged in monitoring air quality and environmental impacts.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has advised residents in the surrounding area to take precautions if odors are present outdoors. Brief exposure is not expected to cause long-term health effects for most people, but anyone experiencing severe or persistent symptoms should contact a medical provider. Residents without a provider may call the Public Health Community Health Complaint Line at (626) 430-9821.

At this time, no injuries or evacuations have been reported. Residents are urged to avoid the area and follow all public safety instructions while response efforts continue.

My office continues to monitor the situation closely as more information becomes available.”