Gulf oil spill: controlled burn planned
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The Associated Press reports that the Coast Guard is preparing for a controlled burn of some of the oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico now that weather conditions are more favorable:
Spokesman Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Blackwell, at an oil command center in Robert, La., said Wednesday that boats will skim oil from the surface of the sea and burn it. Controlled burns are part of the toolbox of strategies officials are using to rid the gulf of the oil. Burning the oil removes it from the open water and protects the shoreline and wildlife. Spill response officials said no populated areas are expected to be affected by the controlled-burn operations and there are no effects anticipated for marine mammals and sea turtles. The Environmental Protection Agency will continuously monitor air quality and burning will be halted if safety standards cannot be maintained. A successful controlled burn, lasting 28 minutes and removing thousands of gallons of oil, was conducted on April 28.
-- Geoff Mohan
Photos: Oil spill spreads in the Gulf of Mexico