(FOX40.COM) — Several days after potentially hundreds of gallons of oil spilled into the Smith Canal in Stockton, the acting director of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services declared a local emergency due to property and environmental impacts.
Acting Director Paul Canepa made the declaration since county supervisors are not in session, and it will last for seven days unless the board meets and decides to extend it.
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The declaration will help impacted community members have access to resources and services related to the spill, the county said.
Officials say it appeared that an oil burner with a capacity of 380 gallons was the source of the spill on September 27.
The oil was contained in a stretch of the canal to avoid it entering the San Joaquin River, and people living and recreating along the canal were advised to avoid the water and avoid eating fish from that area.