24/7 LiveLos AngelesOrange CountyInland EmpireVentura CountyCalifornia
  • refugio oil spill

PHOTOS: Refugio State Beach oil spill

KABC logo
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
This photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows an oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast near Santa Barbara
Crude oil covers a palm frond at Refugio State Beach on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
Crude oil covers rocks at Refugio State Beach on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
ABC7 reporter Christina Salvo holds up a rock covered in crude oil at Refugio State Beach on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
ABC7 reporter Christina Salvo holds up a glove covered in crude oil at Refugio State Beach on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
Cleanup crews work at Refugio State Beach, site of an oil spill, Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
Cleanup crews walk down Refugio State Beach, site of an oil spill, Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
This photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept. shows an oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast near Santa Barbara on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
Cleanup crews walk down the beach at Refugio State Beach, site of an oil spill, Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
Oil covers rocks along Refugio State Beach after an oil spill on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
This photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept. shows an oil slick from a broken pipeline off the central California coast near Santa Barbara on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
An oil spill was reported at Refugio State Beach, about 20 miles west of Santa Barbara, Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
An oil spill was reported at Refugio State Beach, about 20 miles west of Santa Barbara, Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
1 of 14

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KABC) -- A ruptured pipeline spilled oil at Refugio State Beach, 20 miles west of Santa Barbara on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.

The break created a thick, black slick along the coastline. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Read the full story here.

Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

Related Topics

  • SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
  • REFUGIO OIL SPILL
  • OIL SPILL
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • BEACHES

Related

Gov. Brown declares state of emergency in Santa Barbara County over oil spill

Ruptured pipeline causes oil spill at Refugio State Beach near Santa Barbara

Refugio Oil Spill

Energy secretary directs oil company to restore operations in CA

    10 years after Refugio oil spill, pipeline could reopen

      $230M settlement reached over 2015 California oil spill

        Pipeline company indicted in Refugio oil spill

          Watch Live
          ON NOW

          Top Stories

          Family of 14-year-old girl speaks out after D4vd charged with murder

          Man arrested after teacher killed, daughter hurt in Burbank stabbing

          • 1 hour ago

          Bass pushes new LA film incentive programs

          • 34 minutes ago

          LAHSA announces plans to lay off nearly 300 employees

          King Taco's original location now a historic landmark

          OC residents question why pools were permitted amid easement fight

          • 21 minutes ago

          Groundbreaking marks rebuilding milestone for Sunset Mesa

          • 3 hours ago

          Two women say they were groped by man at Silver Lake Reservoir

          ABC7 Los Angeles
          Topics
          HomeWeatherTrafficU.S. & WorldPoliticsConsumer
          Regions
          Los AngelesOrange CountyInland EmpireVentura CountyCalifornia
          More
          Live VideoAppsABC7 En EspañolInvestigationsShop
          Company
          Submit News TipsTV ListingsAbout ABC7Meet the News TeamAccessibilityEmploymentABC7 Merchandise
          Privacy Policy
          Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
          Children's Privacy Policy
          Your US State Privacy Rights
          Terms of Use
          Interest-Based Ads
          Public Inspection File
          FCC Applications
          Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All Rights Reserved.