As part of a Unified Command, U.S. Navy and interagency partners continue to clean up and assess damage following Thursday's fuel spill of approximately 94,000 gallons from a tank at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana. Crews are continuing to remove fuel from the affected areas.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) requests the public avoid all recreational activities including fishing and crabbing in Wolfsnare Creek south of Virginia Beach Boulevard and East of Lynnhaven Parkway while cleanup is ongoing.

Unified response teams continue to monitor water and air quality to ensure public safety during cleanup efforts.

The levels at which fuel can be smelled in the air are much lower than levels which can cause health effects. Continuous air monitor readings indicate no health safety risks for inhalation in neighborhoods near the spill site. All readings are within acceptable levels.

People should avoid coming in direct contact with the fuel and should keep their pets from entering the affected area. If direct contact is made, wash exposed skin with soapy water.

Wildlife experts are conducting surveys to locate and assist impacted wildlife and taking precautions to keep additional animals from entering the affected area. Any affected wildlife that is found will be triaged and transported for rehabilitation.

"We appreciate the care and concern of the local residents, and for your own safety and the safety of the animals, we encourage residents to not touch or assist animals that appear to be in distress," said U.S. Coast Guard Captain Rick Wester, federal on scene coordinator. "Instead, contact (757) 438-3159 and wildlife experts will be dispatched to aid the animal."

Traffic along Northbound London Bridge Road remains closed today between International Parkway and Potters Roads and one lane Southbound on London Bridge Road between Potters Road and Central Drive, is closed, as cleanup crews and equipment work to remove the spilled fuel from a culvert.

Residents with concerns or questions can call the City of Virginia Beach's 311 non-emergency number.

Cleanup efforts will continue until the fuel is cleaned up.
The Navy is working with U.S. Coast Guard, City of Virginia Beach, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Beach Animal Control, U.S. Navy Natural Resources, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture-APHIS-Wildlife Services, USDA, VDH, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, INC., and HEPACO.
The cause of the spill remains under investigation.

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For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/.