Del Norte Office of Emergency Services

06/12/2026

Del Norte County Road Closure
06/12/2026
Please read the Press Release below.

06/11/2026

Public Service Announcement
Information provided by
Del Norte County Environmental Health

On June 11, a tanker truck carrying asphalt binder overturned on Highway 199 north of Siskiyou Fork Road near Bar-O Ranch. As a result of the accident, a quantity of asphalt binder was released, and some of the material entered the adjacent Middle Fork of the Smith River.
Asphalt binder is a heavy, semi-solid petroleum product used in road construction to bind aggregate materials together and form pavement surfaces.
Response efforts are currently underway. Personnel from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR), Caltrans, and the California Highway Patrol are on scene. An environmental cleanup contractor is en route to assess site clean up efforts.
The Smith River serves as a primary source of drinking water for many residents of Del Norte County. At this time, there is no immediate threat to drinking water supplies. Due to the river’s cold water temperatures, asphalt binder typically hardens upon contact with water.
A similar spill involving asphalt binder occurred in April 2022 between Gasquet and Hiouchi. During that incident, high river flows and turbulence associated with storm events broke portions of the hardened material into small pieces, commonly referred to as tarballs, which subsequently traveled downstream. A similar outcome is possible with the current incident; however, this spill occurred substantially farther upstream, and the quantity of material that entered the river has not yet been determined.
All local water providers have been notified of the incident and are evaluating and implementing appropriate best management practices to protect drinking water supplies. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
County staff will continue to coordinate with responding agencies and monitor the situation closely.

We will continue to provide updates as they are received

06/11/2026

Once CERT, Always CERT

For years, CERT volunteers have stepped up to help their neighbors, support first responders, and make Del Norte County a more resilient community. Whether you were part of the very first CERT class, volunteered for years, or recently completed training, we want to reconnect with YOU!

Join us for the Del Norte County CERT Reunion on:

July 17, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Florence Keller Park, Crescent City

Enjoy food, friends, memories, community partners, and preparedness activities as we celebrate the volunteers who helped build our CERT family.

Bring your CERT bag!

We'll be awarding prizes for:
🏆 Oldest CERT Bag
🏆 Newest CERT Bag
🏆 Most Unique Item Found in a CERT Bag

Family members are welcome too! Please RSVP so we can make sure we have enough food for everyone.

📲 Register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or by visiting:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1E-2LX8SwZLZegOF57N7ILB2i9y90gr_SdUP9yqjjS9k/edit

We can't wait to reconnect, share stories, laugh about old deployments, and celebrate the incredible volunteers who have made a difference in Del Norte County.

06/11/2026

06/08/2026

Let's continue to work together to keep Del Norte County safe this Fourth of July.

Del Norte County agencies will be increasing enforcement of illegal fireworks throughout the county. Help keep our community safe, protect pets and wildlife, and reduce the risk of devastating wildfires.

For more information please read the flyer below.

06/05/2026

Are You Signed Up for Emergency Alerts?

Disasters don't wait for a convenient time. Whether it's a tsunami, wildfire, severe storm, flood, earthquake, or another emergency, important information can be sent directly to your phone, email, or other devices when you need it most.

The best time to prepare is before an emergency happens.

✅ Receive emergency notifications
✅ Get evacuation and safety information
✅ Stay informed during local incidents
✅ Help protect yourself and your family

Don't wait until disaster strikes to wish you had signed up.

Sign up today at:
www.prepareddelnorte.com

A few minutes today could make all the difference tomorrow.

05/29/2026

This Wildfire Awareness Month, take steps to prevent fires! During critical fire weather, don't burn yard waste & debris or do any activity that may cause sparks. Strengthen your home against wildfires with tips from ready.gov/wildfires

05/25/2026

Today, we remember the heroes who never came home.

Their sacrifice was not for recognition, but for the freedoms we live every day. Memorial Day is a time to honor their courage, reflect on their service, and carry their legacy forward through how we serve and support one another.

From all of us at the Del Norte County Office of Emergency Services — we remember, we honor, and we will never forget.

05/23/2026