DORRIS, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2026) — Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order Tuesday morning for parts of a Northern California community after a spill involving a highly toxic herbicide, officials said.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said the order was issued around 10:20 a.m. in the town of Dorris following a chemical spill involving paraquat, commonly sold under the brand name Gramoxone.
Officials said paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that can be fatal if inhaled or ingested and may pose an airborne risk.
The shelter-in-place order applies to the following zones:
DOR-4106, east of Matthews Road and north of Richardson Road
DOR-4112, west of Dorris Brownell Road and north of Richardson Road
Residents in the affected areas were urged to take immediate precautions, including turning off air conditioning and HVAC systems, keeping all doors and windows closed, and avoiding outdoor activity.
Authorities also warned that anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the chemical should call 911 immediately.
In addition, Caltrans District 2 reported that Highway 97 through Dorris has been closed as emergency crews respond to the incident.
The situation remains under investigation, and officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
UPDATE: The shelter in place order has been lifted after the spill has been completed. Highway 97 is now fully open.
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