A major cleanup operation is under way in Los Angeles after a ruptured pipeline released more than 2,000 gallons of crude oil into the LA River. The spill occurred when a telecommunications contractor struck a pipeline in East Los Angeles on Friday morning, causing oil to flow into nearby storm drains.
The Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) confirmed that efforts to contain the spill have been ongoing. Crews in hazmat suits have been cleaning oil along the shoreline, and oil-absorbing containment booms have been deployed in Long Beach to prevent the oil from reaching the ocean. OSPR spokesperson Kristina Werner said: “We ask for everyone's patience and just keep in mind, we will do this as quickly and as properly as we can.”
Wildlife officials reported that oiled birds have been collected from around the LA River and taken to the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care & Education Center. Around 25 birds were in care on Monday.
Residents near the pipeline have reported strong fumes since Friday. Lucy Aculco, who is asthmatic, said she left her home to stay with her daughter because the odour was overwhelming. She added: “No one is telling us anything.” OSPR stated that community air monitoring is taking place at various locations and that crews are on the ground with air monitoring tools.
The City of Long Beach confirmed that no new oil is entering the river, although an oil sheen was observed near the Pacific Coast Highway Bridge on Saturday, prompting the deployment of additional booms. Skimming operations have begun to remove oil from the river, and the city's homeless services team is conducting outreach along the river.
LA County Fire Captain Aaron Katon told The Los Angeles Times that the pipe burst after a telecommunications crew bored a six-inch hole ten feet underground to lay fibre-optic cables, striking a pipeline that transports crude oil from Kern County to the Port of Los Angeles.
