Sewage spill closes beach near Bluebird Canyon Drive

The Orange County Health Care Agency closed a 1,000-foot stretch of beach near the end of Bluebird Canyon Drive on Tuesday because of a 200-gallon sewage spill.

County officials closed the area at 8 a.m. and expect it will remain off-limits for swimming, surfing and diving through Wednesday, said Anthony Martinez, county water quality program manager.

Tree roots and sewage clogged a pipe near Rim Rock Canyon Road, causing debris to seep up through manhole covers and run into storm drains, Martinez said.

Laguna public works crews responded within 20 minutes to clear the line.

Swimmers might want to avoid the water even after the county reopens the beach, Martinez said. Health officials issued advisories along the Orange County coastline because of elevated bacteria levels in the water from this week’s storm.