Edhat Staff
Santa Barbara County fire crews are keeping an eye on smoke along the bluffs of Hendry’s Beach, also known as Arroyo Burro Beach, due to smoldering shale oil.
Approximately 10 feet up from the beach, a 3-4 foot area is producing light smoke that can be seen from the shoreline and bluffs. Fire crews flagged off the area as a precaution.
Public Information Officer Mike Eliason explained this is a naturally occurring geological phenomenon where deposits of oil shale embedded in sedimentary rock spontaneously combust and smolder due to friction. A constant influx of oxygen with the current winds keep it smoldering.
This geological event generally does not pose a safety hazard to the public, it occurs every so often and may be accompanied by the faint smell of burnt hydrocarbon, said Eliason.
Hand crews have also removed vegetation around the area to prevent a fire from spreading. They will be on scene for a while as this event runs its natural course and stops.
#Alisa Incident- SBC on scene of naturally occurring geological phenomena of shale oil smoldering. Approx 1 mile west of Arroyo Burro Beach. Small spot approx 4 feet. **Call Newsline For More Info** pic.twitter.com/VHC3XrTpfX
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 27, 2017
#Alisa Incident- SBC on scene of naturally occurring geological phenomena of shale oil smoldering. Approx 1 mile west of Arroyo Burro Beach. Small spot approx 4 feet. **Call Newsline For More Info** pic.twitter.com/eykRbltJjj
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) November 27, 2017
Update by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
At approximately 9:30 a.m. the California Office of Emergency Services received a report of a strong odor and smoke seen emitting from the hillside just above the sand near Arroyo Burro Beach Park.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department responded to the scene and is reporting the cause is a geological phenomenon on the beach approximately one mile west of Arroyo Burro Beach Park. The phenomenon occurs when deposits of oil shale embedded in the sedimentary rock spontaneously combust due to friction and begins to smolder. With current wind conditions in the area, a constant influx of oxygen continues to fan the smoldering process—much like blowing on two sticks while trying to start a campfire.
The smoldering section of the hillside is about 10 feet up from the beach covering an area of approximately three-feet by four-feet. It sloughs off small rocks from time to time, so County Fire has closed the immediate area as a precaution and crews remain on scene to remove any nearby vegetation that is growing above the site in the unlikely event of ignition.
This geological event is naturally occurring and happens occasionally, and carries with it the faint smell of burning hydrocarbons.
Santa Barbara County Environmental Health staff confirmed with the Fire Department personnel on-scene that there is no active seep or threat to waterways.
County Fire also reported detecting low levels of hydrogen sulfide on the beach within 50-feet of the cliff face. While the detected levels are well below those thought to cause adverse health effects, the County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services recommends that people avoid the areas above and particularly below the area of concern on the beach due to the fact that hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and tends to sink and collect in low-lying areas.
