Oil-stained sand is seen in Newport Beach, California, on Wednesday, October 6.
In pictures: Oil spill in Southern California
Oil-stained sand is seen in Newport Beach, California, on Wednesday, October 6.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

Updated 2113 GMT (0513 HKT) October 11, 2021

A pipeline leak spilled more than 100,000 gallons of oil in Southern California, devastating local wildlife and forcing some popular beaches to close.

The breach, which was reported on October 2, occurred about 5 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach.

Officials have been working to clean up the spill and investigate what exactly caused the leak. Huntington Beach reopened its shoreline on Monday, October 11, after water-testing results came back with non-detectable amounts of oil-associated toxins.

"The health and safety of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance," Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr said in a statement. "We understand the significance our beaches have on tourism, our economy, and our overall livelihood here in Huntington Beach. It is important that our decision to reopen our shoreline and water be based on data and that we continue to monitor the water quality going forward."

A surfer leaves the water as workers continue cleanup efforts in Huntington Beach, California, on Monday, October 11. Huntington Beach had just reopened its shoreline.
A surfer leaves the water as workers continue cleanup efforts in Huntington Beach, California, on Monday, October 11. Huntington Beach had just reopened its shoreline.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Workers walk by dead marine life in Newport Beach on October 6.
Workers walk by dead marine life in Newport Beach on October 6.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Workers clean a contaminated area of Newport Beach on October 6.
Workers clean a contaminated area of Newport Beach on October 6.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
A staff member of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife examines a sanderling that was affected by the oil in Huntington Beach.
A staff member of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife examines a sanderling that was affected by the oil in Huntington Beach.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Members of a Coast Guard flight crew look out over the Orange County coastline as they search for oil in the water on Tuesday, October 5.
Members of a Coast Guard flight crew look out over the Orange County coastline as they search for oil in the water on Tuesday, October 5.
Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Workers clean up debris in Huntington Beach on October 5.
Workers clean up debris in Huntington Beach on October 5.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Environmental cleanup crews work in Huntington Beach on October 5.
Environmental cleanup crews work in Huntington Beach on October 5.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
A boom is used to contain the oil spill in Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach.
A boom is used to contain the oil spill in Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach.
Ted Soqui/Sipa/AP
Workers with Patriot Environmental Services clean up some of the oil that flowed into the Talbert Marsh.
Workers with Patriot Environmental Services clean up some of the oil that flowed into the Talbert Marsh.
Kyle Grillot for CNN
Beachgoers walk along the coast of Huntington Beach on October 4.
Beachgoers walk along the coast of Huntington Beach on October 4.
Kyle Grillot for CNN
A member of a cleanup crew rakes up some of the oil that washed ashore on Huntington Beach.
A member of a cleanup crew rakes up some of the oil that washed ashore on Huntington Beach.
Allen J Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Shutterstock
Boats are seen off the coast of Huntington Beach on October 4.
Boats are seen off the coast of Huntington Beach on October 4.
Kyle Grillot for CNN
A fish is found dead in Huntington Beach.
A fish is found dead in Huntington Beach.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
This aerial photo, taken on October 4, shows environmental response crews cleaning up oil that flowed near the Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach.
This aerial photo, taken on October 4, shows environmental response crews cleaning up oil that flowed near the Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
A beachgoer sits in front of a warning sign in Huntington Beach on October 4.
A beachgoer sits in front of a warning sign in Huntington Beach on October 4.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Oil residue mixed with sand covers part of the Bolsa Chica State Beach on October 4.
Oil residue mixed with sand covers part of the Bolsa Chica State Beach on October 4.
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock
Excavators dredge sand to block some of the oil from flowing into Huntington Beach on October 3.
Excavators dredge sand to block some of the oil from flowing into Huntington Beach on October 3.
Ariana Drehsler/Bloomberg/Getty Images
This aerial photo shows oil that had washed ashore in Huntington Beach.
This aerial photo shows oil that had washed ashore in Huntington Beach.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Shutterstock
Oil-absorbent booms are being used by workers to clean up oil that flowed into the Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach.
Oil-absorbent booms are being used by workers to clean up oil that flowed into the Talbert Marsh in Huntington Beach.
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock
Lifeguards post warning signs in Huntington Beach.
Lifeguards post warning signs in Huntington Beach.
Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP
Fish swim in oil-contaminated waters off the coast of Huntington Beach.
Fish swim in oil-contaminated waters off the coast of Huntington Beach.
Nick Ut/Getty Images
Waves bring oil ashore in Huntington Beach.
Waves bring oil ashore in Huntington Beach.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Shutterstock
A bird balances on a boom that was set up to contain oil in Huntington Beach.
A bird balances on a boom that was set up to contain oil in Huntington Beach.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
This aerial picture, taken on October 3, shows oil in the Talbert Marsh area.
This aerial picture, taken on October 3, shows oil in the Talbert Marsh area.
David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
A helicopter flies over bystanders in Huntington Beach. The federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is assisting in the Coast Guard-led response to the oil spill, the agency told CNN.
A helicopter flies over bystanders in Huntington Beach. The federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is assisting in the Coast Guard-led response to the oil spill, the agency told CNN.
Ariana Drehsler/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Globs of oil are seen on the border of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach on October 3.
Globs of oil are seen on the border of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach on October 3.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Shutterstock
Workers try to clean up floating oil in the Talbert Marsh area.
Workers try to clean up floating oil in the Talbert Marsh area.
David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
Heavy equipment is used to block oil from reaching the Talbert Marsh area.
Heavy equipment is used to block oil from reaching the Talbert Marsh area.
David McNew/AFP/Getty Images
A Huntington Beach lifeguard points to the oil-soaked sand as he tells Melissa Panozzo to get out of the water on October 3. Panozzo hadn't heard the beaches had been closed, she said.
A Huntington Beach lifeguard points to the oil-soaked sand as he tells Melissa Panozzo to get out of the water on October 3. Panozzo hadn't heard the beaches had been closed, she said.
Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images
Oil gathers on an absorption boom in Huntington Beach.
Oil gathers on an absorption boom in Huntington Beach.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Getty Images
Oil-skimming boats work the waters off the coast of Huntington Beach on October 3.
Oil-skimming boats work the waters off the coast of Huntington Beach on October 3.
Tim Rue/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Oil piles up as it is blocked by a boom on October 3.
Oil piles up as it is blocked by a boom on October 3.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Shutterstock
Local residents look for signs of damage in Huntington Beach.
Local residents look for signs of damage in Huntington Beach.
Ariana Drehsler/Bloomberg/Getty Images
A ball floats in oil that had washed ashore on October 3.
A ball floats in oil that had washed ashore on October 3.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Time/Shutterstock