Willard Beach in South Portland Closed Wednesday Due to an Oil Spill

It's going to be a hot day today once again and a good day to head to the beach. If you had plans to head to South Portland's Willard Beach though, you're going to need to go elsewhere for today at least.

South Portland Parks and Recreation posted on their Facebook page overnight that the beach will be closed on Wednesday, 8/25, because of an oil spill. The notice says that it's a precautionary measure and they don't believe there's a threat to public health.

According to News Center Maine, South Portland Water Resource Protection, the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection and the Coast Guard have determined that a slick of oil found near a stormwater discharge, is fuel of some sort.

Willard Beach will remain closed until at least Thursday morning as the investigation and clean-up proceeds.

Fuel spills aren't uncommon at Maine's beaches. Just a year ago a lobsterman beached his boat on the northern beach at the Falmouth town landing to do maintenance and it ended up tipping over spilling about 10 to 15 gallons of diesel fuel. That closed that beach for several days.

It doesn't appear that this spill is as severe, so cleanup will likely take less time. Keep an eye on the South Portland Parks and Recreation Facebook page for updates.