As we reported yesterday, the leaking gas well near a Los Angeles neighborhood has been temporarily plugged, ending four months of uncontrolled amounts of methane being released into the atmosphere.

The leak has caused thousands of people to be relocated, and led to criminal charges and a number of civil lawsuits against Southern California Gas Company, the utility that owns the well.

The well still needs to be inspected and permanently sealed. But for now, the release of natural gas from the well has been stopped — a moment that California air regulators captured on camera.

The leak is invisible to the naked eye, but can be seen on infrared cameras. This video from the California Air Resources Board shows the leak being plugged over the span of approximately 7 minutes on Thursday morning.

California Air Resources Board YouTube

Read our full coverage of the Porter Ranch leak here.

Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.

300x250 Ad

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate