Approximately 11:30 a.m., August 4, a tanker truck carrying fuel exploded on Highway 86. According to Tony Rouhotas, Imperial County Fire Chief, the driver lost control, wrecked the vehicle and it immediately exploded. The location was just 5 miles from the intersection of S22 and Highway 86. The driver was headed north.

The driver was badly burned and was transported to a burn center.

Both north and south traffic was halted. After the fire was contained, the southbound lane was reopened.

According to Rouhotas, a fuel fire cannot be contained with water, so the firefighters let most of the fuel burn off and then used a foam substance. The burned truck was removed from the highway around 3:00 p.m. Both lanes were then reopened.