Southern California Chemical Leak Triggers Evacuations and Orange Haze
PUBLISHED Sep 8, 2026, 8:20 PM ET
Authorities in Southern California responded to an emergency hazmat situation on Tuesday after a slow leak from a chemical tank triggered widespread concern and public safety measures in La Habra. The incident occurred at an industrial facility operated by Shepard Bros. specializing in cleaning products, situated roughly 10 miles north of Anaheim. Shortly before noon, emergency dispatchers received multiple calls reporting an unusual environmental hazard as a thick orange plume rose into the sky. The Los Angeles County Fire Department deployed specialized hazardous materials teams to the scene, bringing the leak under control. As a precaution against toxic exposure, La Habra Mayor Jose Medrano urged residents to shelter in place while law enforcement ordered the evacuation of a nearby middle school and established a strict one-mile evacuation zone. Three individuals at the scene evaluated by medical personnel declined hospital transport. Officials lifted shelter-in-place orders by Tuesday afternoon as the plume dissipated, while air quality regulators continued investigating.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
- Articles Published:
- 29
- Right Leaning:
- 2
- Left Leaning:
- 4
- Neutral:
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- Distribution:
- Left 14%, Center 79%, Right 7%
Left: Emphasizes regulatory oversight failures and risks to urban neighborhoods. Center: Focuses strictly on official emergency response and public safety measures. Right: Highlights industrial property protection and swift municipal containment actions.
Associated Press published initial breaking report on La Habra chemical leak. https://apnews.com/article/southern-california-authorities-respond-to-a-leak-of-an-unknown-chemical-from-a-tank-4273745
Coverage of Story:
From Left
La Habra Shelter in Place Order Lifted After Orange Plume Hovers Above City Hall Neighborhood
Voice of OC Los Angeles Times CNN ABC NewsFrom Center
Southern California authorities respond to a leak of an unknown chemical
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