Additional oiled critters have been found near the Cuyama River oil spill east of Santa Maria as cleanup efforts hit the one-week mark.
The incident stemmed from a March 21 tanker truck crash off Highway 166, spilling about 4,500 gallons of crude oil.
After initially discovering a belted kingfisher bird and a western pond turtle on Tuesday, crews have found several other creatures since then.
Officials activated the Oiled Wildlife Care Network with field team members remaining on scene to capture and care for any oiled animals.
As of Sunday morning, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network reported rescues of 16 turtles, frogs and birds.
(Oiled Wildlife Care Network photo)
So far, one dead fish and two dead mallard ducks also were collected in the field, with the second duck discovered Saturday. Another mallard and a kingfisher did not survive, according to the California Fish & Wildlife Office of Spill Prevention and Response.
Thursday marked the busiest day with rescue efforts netting seven turtles. The species of turtles had not been determined yet. That was in addition to a western pond turtle rescued initially.
A California red-legged frog, which federal officials have listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, also was discovered.
After being washed by OWCN staff, the frog “remains in bright and alert condition,” according to an update posted Thursday night.
Also found were a Baja California tree frog and a western toad.
A pair of live frogs were found Saturday, according to the latest update.
Some of the wildlife have been taken to Pacific Wildlife Care in Morro Bay for veterinary care. Others received care, including being washed to remove oil, at OWCN’s field stabilization unit.
The cleanup prompted a unified command involving the Office of Spill Prevention and Response, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and Golden Valley Transfer.
As of Thursday, cleanup crews using vaccum trucks and skimming devices had removed most pooled surface oil from the containment area 2 miles downstream of the crash site, according to OSPR spokesman Eric Laughlin.
The oil/water mix will be quantified in the coming days as it fully separates, he added.
“Rocks and soil are also being cleaned at the accident site and along the shoreline,” Laughlin said.
Cleanup efforts have involved as many as 79 people, with quick containment keeping the crude oil from reaching Twitchell Dam and Reservoir.
“Crews have continuously monitored the river through visible observations and drone flights, and have not documented impacts downstream of the containment zone, including at the reservoir,” Laughlin said.
Cleanup is expected to last for at least another week.
The spill occurred after a westbound truck’s trailer began to sway side to side as the driver entered a curve, according to the California Highway Patrol.
As the driver attempted to correct the truck’s path by making a hard turn, the trailer became disconnected and rolled down the embankment into the riverbed.
The crash happened at 4:30 a.m. but was not reported until after 6 a.m., a delay attributed to spotty cell phone reception in the area.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.