Bay Area Oil Spill

The Marine Spill Response Corporation puts down a boon to protect the beach at
Chrissy Fields from oil contamination this past Thursday in San Francisco, California.

The crash Wednesday ruptured two of the vessel's fuel tanks, which leaked about 58,000 gallons of heavy bunker fuel into the bay, killing sea birds and spurring the closure of nearly two dozen beaches and piers.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency to help fight the San Francisco oil spill that is threatening wildlife and several miles of pristine coastline.

Nearly 20,000 gallons of oily liquid had been sucked up by Saturday morning, and about 770 workers have taken part in cleanup efforts on the water and along beaches to mop up the damage — a job that is expected to last weeks or possibly months.

Rescue teams raced to save hundreds of seabirds tarred with black shipping fuel. At least 60 birds were found dead while 200 live birds were recovered and sent to a rehabilitation center in Solano County.

Photo by: (AFP/Getty Images/File/Kimberly White)