Emergency responders limit Toro Canyon oil spill spread to surrounding area

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – A unified command is actively managing the Toro Canyon oil spill and report no oil has been seen in Toro Creek south of State Route 192 at Toro Canyon Road.

Current activities at the incident site include surveying, clean up and preparation for the incoming rainstorm.

The Unified Command has representatives from Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response and totals approximately 50-60 personnel.

Although there are no current reports of oiled wildlife, the Wildlife Branch of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network has been activated to the scene.

If you observe oiled wildlife, do not attempt a capture. Instead, contact the oiled wildlife hotline at 1-877-823-6926.

The source of the oil is an abandoned oil well according to Santa Barbara County Fire Department, but the amount of spilled oil, the long term impacts on life in the area and the direct cause are all still under investigation.