East Los Angeles Oil Spill
On May 22, 2026, a telecommunications crew struck an underground crude oil pipeline near East Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and North Eastern Ave. in Los Angeles County. Oil entered storm drains and the Los Angeles River. The pipeline has been shut down, and crews are excavating and repairing the line. Cleanup teams are on site, with containment booms deployed to limit downstream spread. Out of an abundance of caution, air quality monitoring and air purification efforts in the area will continue.
Small Business Support
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity’s Office of Small Business is actively assisting affected businesses by providing guidance on claim preparation, documentation requirements, and submission. Impacted businesses are encouraged to book an appointment for one-on-one support with OSB by calling the regular OSB phone line at (844) 432-4900, visiting OSB’s East LA Entrepreneurship Center located at 4716 E.Cesar E. Chavez Ave., or emailing osb@opportunity.lacounty.gov. All impacted businesses seeking assistance should indicate that their request is related to the to the East LA oil spill.
Recovery Resources
Cleaning of oil in the affected storm drains within the immediate area of the intersection is complete. An interactive map showing the progression of remaining storm drain cleaning activities is available.
Please refer to Los Angeles County Public Works’ Road Closure website for the latest information.
Los Angeles County Fire Health Hazmat and South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) conducted initial air monitoring and determined there was not a threat to public health. As crews excavate the area to make repairs on the pipeline, increased odors may be present. Air monitoring is ongoing out of an abundance of caution