UPDATE: Cleanup continues on Shuyak Strait oil spill

Unified Command officials overseeing cleanup of the spill of up to 3,000 gallons of bunker fuel some 49 miles north of Kodiak say the effort continues, with 48 bags of oiled absorbent material collected through March 6.

Due to the collapse of a building containing the fuel bladder in winds exceeding 80 miles an hour, it is assumed that as much at 3,000 gallons may have spilled. A large amount of contaminated debris was also being collected within the containment boom. Oil absorbent materials placed inside of the hard boom has been successful in collecting oil at each tide cycle, the Unified Command said.

The incident occurred on Feb. 26 when excessive wind gusts pushed the building off a dock after the d0ck structure supporting the building collapsed.

Northern sea otters and Steller sea lions, both of which are Endangered Species Act populations, inhabit the area, which is critical habitat for both. Eagles, waterfowl and seabirds are also common to the area, and Pacific halibut, Pacific cod, walleye P9llock and Pacific herring inhabit surrounding waters.

According to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation there were no reports of the spill impacting wildlife.

Meanwhile winds in the area had increased from 6-10 knots to 15-20 knots and forecasters said snow as expected by early on March 7.

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