Santa Barbara County health officials at first just warned beachgoers to stay away from the tar balls covering the sand, but after finding more liquid oil, officials decided Friday afternoon to shut it down entirely. County Parks, Public Health, and the Air Pollution Control District will determine the risk to public health and could even suggest future course of action. The department is also checking is the issue has been caused by a pipeline breakage noticed in May, around 30 miles from the beach area.
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Byrd said if you get crude oil or tar balls on your skin, you’ll want to wash the area with soap or water as soon as possible. That could be upgraded to a full-fledged beach closure, she said, should circumstances warrant.
Santa Barbara County health officials have closed a beach that is covered with oil.
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In July, a large oil sheen off the coast of Goleta was determined to be the result of natural oil seepage, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
