Edhat Staff
Update by the Edhat Staff
6:09 p.m., June 27, 2017
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department now estimates the oil spill to be between 3 to 5 barrels. Not 20-30 as previously reported.
By the Edhat Staff
4:05 p.m., June 27, 2017
At 3:12 p.m. Tuesday, Santa Barbara County Fire crews responded to a crude oil spill at 5080 Black Road in Santa Maria. This spill was apparently caused by county road crews who accidentally struck a pipeline along the roadway.
Crude oil was spilling out into the railroad area from what was identified as a Greka pipeline. Greka is on scene and was able to shut down the pipeline quickly, but not before around 20-30 barrels of crude oil spilled in the area. Fire crews have dammed it and successfully stopped the spread of oil into the creek and surrounding areas. The roadway is still open.
The railroad has been notified but has not been shut down yet, and an investigator is on route to assist.
Engine 21 from Santa Barbara County is on scene overseeing the cleanup.
(Photo: Santa Barbara County Fire Department)
