Massive Gas Leak Repair In RivCo: Evacuations, Road Closures Remain

SAN JACINTO, CA — Repairs on a massive high-pressure line gas leak in San Jacinto that led to evacuations and road closures Thursday were still underway Friday morning.

Evacuation orders were reduced for many but remained for those in the area of the original leak near South State Street and Esplanade Avenue. This intersection remained closed during repair operations as of 6:30 a.m.

SoCalGas remains at work on mitigating the gas leak involving a high-pressure pipe. Fire crews would stay on the scene until the hazard is contained, according to the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

Evacuations remained Friday for the following areas:

• North of Crows Nest
• South of the canal
• East of Palm Ave.
• West of Buena Vista

Evacuation Zones:

SJT 1196 D
HMT 1197 B
SJT 1198 C

View the interactive map for the most immediate evacuation/warning information at go.genasys.com/7tz3yt:

Red = ORDER

Yellow = WARNING

Previously evacuated areas were reduced to warnings at 10 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Evacuation Assistance:

The Care and Reception center has been moved from Tahquitz High School to Hemet High School, 41701 Stetson Ave., Hemet.

Animal Services, located at 6851 Van Buren Boulevard in Jurupa Valley, is available to assist the displaced residents with their pets.

What Happened:

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Cal Fire arrived at North State Street and West Esplanade Avenue when an 8-inch high-pressure gas line fractured for unidentified reasons, spokesperson Karina Espinoza told Patch.

SoCal Gas was notified that a contractor damaged the natural gas pipeline at 1373 S. State Street, spokesperson Oscar Martinez told Patch. "Crews responded and were working to assess the damage and stop the leak."

Ten total customer outages were noted, and out of an abundance of caution, the State Street and Esplanade Avenue intersection remained closed most of the day, allowing SoCal gas crews to make repairs safely. That work continued overnight, well after 10 p.m., and no update has yet been given Friday morning at 6:15 a.m.

"Residents and businesses in the area may smell a natural gas odor during the repair operation," he said, and the repair work was expected to take "multiple hours.

According to reports from the scene, sheriff's deputies and Hemet Police Department personnel were requested to assist with implementing traffic controls and evacuation orders for public safety.

The intersection where the fracture occurred was under construction.

"SoCalGas reminds residents and business owners to call 811 before they dig at construction sites or in the yard. Calling 811 will help prevent possible injury or damage to hidden utility lines," Martinez said. "We encourage anyone who has concerns to call us at 1-800-427-2200. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

#ESPLANADEIC [UPDATE @ 9 p.m.] SoCalGas continues to work on mitigating the gas leak involving a high-pressure pipe. Crews will remain on scene until the hazard is contained.

The Care and Reception center has been moved from Tahquitz High School to Hemet High School, 41701… https://t.co/WGlJkrJWwq
— CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) March 21, 2025