Long Beach waters are safe for now, despite a 21,000 gallon oil spill off Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County earlier today, Long Beach Bureau of Environmental Health Manager Nelson Kerr said.

According to U.S. Coast Guard officials, the source of the spill—a broken pipeline—has been secured, but the spill was able to stretch four miles wide into the ocean. The Coast Guard tweeted they were overseeing the cleanup and the responsible party was Plains All-American Pipeline. 

Emergency personnel with Exxon, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management are still assessing the situation, officials said.

Refugio State Beach is about a three-hour driving distance from Long Beach.

“At this point, there is enough distance and enough volume of water between us and Santa Barbara that it will not impact our beaches,” Kerr said.

The Long Beach Health Department said they will, however, continue to observe the situation in case necessary precautionary measures need to be taken.

Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.