A massive oil spill off the coast of Southern California fouled beaches and forced cancellation of a popular air show as authorities raced to minimize the ecological damage.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley tweeted Sunday that oil had begun washing ashore in Huntington Beach, 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Foley blamed a pipeline breach linked to an oil rig about five miles off the coast.
"We’ve started to find dead birds & fish washing up on the shore," she tweeted.
Huntington Beach Police spokeswoman Jennifer Carey said 126,000 gallons of oil had created a spill almost six nautical miles long. Carrey warned of "substantial ecological impacts" for the beach and wetlands. About four miles of coastline were closed to the public.
"Due to the toxicity of the spill, the city is asking that all individuals remain clear of the beach and avoid coming into contact with oiled areas," she said in a statement.
