Oil Slick May Be Burned to Help Stop U.S. Rig Spill
With oil nearing the Gulf Coast, officials are considering fighting the leak with fire.
"We're prepared to use every tool in the tool kit" to fight the oil spill as far off coast as possible, said Rear Adm. Mary Landry, commander of the Eighth U.S. Coast Guard District, who is leading the response effort.
An "in situ burn" of the oil would be "a very, very controlled situation but could be a very effective method" of limiting impact of the Gulf oil spill, Landry said.
Underscoring the seriousness of the situation, she said: "If we don't secure this well, this could be one of the most significant oil spills in U.S. history."
(Related blog: "Who's Still Spilling Oil in the Seas?")
The oil spill is now just 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the coast of Louisiana.
