San Francisco Bay Area Oil Spill--What You Can Do

Almost 60,000 gallons of oil have spilled in the bay, after a large container ship scraped up against one of the Bay Bridge towers. Most beaches are closed. Surfers have been getting covered in oil, and even getting sick. Waterfowl and other wildlife are being injured and killed by the spill. If you are looking for a way to help, here are some resources to check.


Volunteer efforts have not yet started, although many people are eager to help. Check the Oiled Wildlife Care Network website, run by UC Davis or call (800) 228-4544. They will be posting information later today or this weekend on how you can help. If you come across oiled wildlife that needs help, call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at (877) 823-6926. And, do not try to handle or clean any oil-soaked birds or animals yourself.


You can also help the clean-up by simpling reporting on the movement of the spill by calling O'Brien's Group, the private cleanup company that is already getting started. They can be reached at (985) 781-0804.


You can get additional information and updates at the California Coastal Commission website and the San Francisco Chronicle website. And here is a Google Map of the affected areas: