A LEAK from a pipeline from an oil drilling platform is believed to be the cause of the oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach (Shutterstock).
An oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach is closing beaches and has prompted the cancellation of the third day of the Great Pacific Air show today (Sunday).
The spill – now estimated to be 5.8 nautical miles long, running from the Huntington Beach Pier to Newport Beach – is believed to be from a leak in a pipeline from an offshore oil drilling platform.
An estimated 126,000 gallons of petroleum has been released into the ocean.
Due to the impacts of the mishap, the ocean will be closed from the pier area south to the Santa Ana River jetty.
“At this time, due to the toxicity created by the spill, the city is asking that all individuals remain clear of the beach and avoid coming into contact with oiled areas,” said Jennifer Carey, public information officer for the Huntington Beach Police Department in a statement released early Sunday morning.
The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating response to the incident and skimming equipment and booms have been deployed to keep the spill from entering the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and Huntington Beach Wetlands.
It’s believed that the leak has not been completely stopped, although patching has been completed to repair the breach, and more work will continue through the morning.
