Petroleum Incident in Arcata

A new hazardous materials incident involving petroleum has been reported to the California Office of Emergency Services.

According to a report published by the office, the incident took place at or near a beach in Arcata at around 1:43 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.

About three ounces of a substance described as “black oil spot” were released to the environment, according to the person who called in the report.

Here’s the description of the incident that was recorded by the Office of Emergency Services:

As per caller Surf Scoter was discovered on a beach in some debris by a private citizen, which prompted the citizen to alert the Care Center. An agent from the Care Center deployed to an area near the Humboldt Gun Club on the Samoa Peninsula, the bird was recovered near the "Ma-le'l Dunes." Upon inspection Care Center employees found dark oil spots on the breast of the bird, the left ventrile side of the bird, and some strange feather appearances on the dorsile side as well (between the wings).

This was the 1st hazardous materials incident recorded by the Office of Emergency Services in the Arcata area this year and the 1st petroleum spill in the county overall.