Dana Point Closes Beaches, Harbor Due To Oil Spill

DANA POINT, CA —Dana Point Harbor and area beaches are now closed due to the oil spill that has wrecked area beaches and is affecting wildlife in the ocean and along the shore, officials say. According to the city manager's office, there is no current report of oil on Dana Point beaches. The city has a biologist monitoring the beaches and tide pools daily in concert with the other teams deployed by Unified Command.

Still, fishing is not allowed for the foreseeable future, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The 144,000-gallon oil spill occurred offshore of Newport Beach Saturday, sending slimy crude and an oily sheen across the Pacific for miles.

The oil spill went unreported for 12 hours, according to the latest information available, Tuesday. Investigations as to the true cause of the spill remain underway and are being closely monitored by area officials. The cleanup could take weeks if not months, according to statements from Orange County officials, the U.S. Coast Guard and environmental agencies.

It is not yet known how long the beaches will remain closed to swimmers, surfers and fishermen.

Baby Beach within Dana Point Harbor is also closed.

All county beaches in Dana Point, including Salt Creek Beach and Strands Beach, are closed as well.

Capistrano Beach and Poche Beach were already closed due to construction.

Boaters are being advised to use Huntington Beach Harbor or Long Beach Harbor instead for the foreseeable future.

If you see oil-slickened animals, report the injured wildlife to 877082306926 or 877-UCD-OWCN.

Read also:

Orange County Oil Spill: Photos As Ocean Cleanup Ensues

CA Oil Spill Went Unreported For 12 Hours: Latest

*An earlier version of this story showed tarballs in Dana Point. Those tarballs were from Laguna Beach. This has been adjusted. Our apologies for any errors in this breaking story.