“I wouldn’t want to take it in my Kia,” the Office of Emergency Management rep said of the semi following the app’s instructions.
A sharp turn inside a Pacific Northwest National Forest in Oregon became the site of a tense situation on Saturday, December 14. A semi-truck hauling thousands of pounds of pesticides overturned. The accident happened close to Minniece Creek, a tributary of Quartzville Creek, within the Sweet Home Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest.
The U.S. Forest Service issued an emergency closure of Forest Service Road 11 (FSR 11), commonly called Quartzville Road, between mileposts 26 and 34. The closure could last through the spring, the USFS said in its statement.
The truck carried Ortho Bug-Geta Snail & Slug Killer2
Sweet Home News reported that there was a “small initial release” of the product. This particular form of pesticide is a solid pellet, not a liquid. Officials say responders promptly cleaned up the spill. The rest of the product remained in the trailer.
The rep with the state’s Office of Emergency Management also shared that some diesel fuel spilled. Responders also immediately cleaned it up. They also drained the remaining fuel in the truck’s tanks.
Considering the accident location, even a minor spill of the chemicals could have harmful effects on the surrounding ecosystem. Pesticides in waterways can threaten aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and potentially impact human health.
“This was not a chemical spill,” the rep said. “This is a salvage operation. No chemicals were released into the environment.”
The trucker told authorities that a Google app took him to the road, which is no place for a semi. He said the trailer slipped off the path in a hairpin turn. The OEM rep confirmed the road’s treacherous conditions.
“I wouldn’t want to take it in my Kia,” the OEM rep said, “I would never want to drive it in a semi.”
Crews are likely to use specialized equipment to stabilize and lift the overturned vehicle without causing further damage. Temporary containment measures, such as spill barriers or absorbent pads, may also be in place as a precaution during the recovery process.
For now, the closure means no through traffic on this stretch of Quartzville Road. The Forest Service advises visitors to review the official closure order and stay updated on road conditions by contacting the Sweet Home Ranger District at (541) 367-5168.
