Governor Jerry Brown of California has declared late Wednesday a state of emergency for Santa Barbara County. The announcement came after a pipeline from Plains All American Pipeline LP, an oil conduit, burst Tuesday, covering the state's southern coastline was covered in crude which amounted up to 2,500 barrels.

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The California oil spill resulted in thousands of gallons of oil blackening beaches, as well as endangering wildlife in the West Coast.

As a result of the California oil spill, an area 20 miles from Santa Barbara which has been a popular camping site, has been "closed indefinitely."

"Abnormalities" in the line were first noticed by a control room operator, who also shut down the system, according to the Los Angeles Times. Firefighters later responded to the scene after reports of strong gasoline smell were called in.

On Wednesday, investigators estimated the scope of the spill to be that of 105,000 gallons of oil leaking out from the pipeline - 21,000 gallons of which reached the ocean, reported the Associated Press.

"It's important to remember this stretch of California coastline is unique to the world. It's beautiful and pristine," said Santa Barbara County Supervisor Doreen Farr, reported NBC Los Angeles. "This is more than an inconvenience. This is just a disaster. We are taking it very seriously."

The recent California oil spill is thought to be the largest oil spill in Santa Barbara since 1969, said Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer, Liutenant John McCormick Wednesday. The Santa Barbara coastline had been defaced in 1969 after an oil platform puncture leaked 200,000 gallons of crude into the Pacific Ocean.

Clean-up crews were present Wednesday to comb the black tar in the coastline and place protective booms to keep the crude from spreading further.

The California oil spill not only affects communities near the coastline, but wildlife as well. The Santa Barbara coast where the leak occurred is reportedly where two endangered shore birds, the snowy plover and the least tern, both reside and find food. The area is also home to seals, sea lions and whales.

Estimates suggest that the California oil spill has so far spanned some 9 miles along the wildlife's habitat.

Meanwhile, on social media, many have already shared photos of the spill, using the hashtag #SantaBarbaraOilSpill, according to The Washington Post.

On Twitter, a journalist shared a photo of a pelican completely covered in tar.

It's one of the most harrowing things I've seen—an oil-drenched pelican struggling for its life #SantaBarbaraOilSpill pic.twitter.com/J8ghC3FHnG

— Scott London (@scottlondon) May 20, 2015

Biologists were also seen counting dead fish Wednesday, while students helped carry buckets of tar away from the coast.

Brown's emergency proclamation after the California oil spill will reportedly provide assistance with clean-up funds.

As of today, it remains unclear how the pipeline burst. Extent of damage also remain unknown.

The pipeline was inspected in 2012, showing no issues, according to Plains All American Pipeline. Though the same pipeline was tested two weeks ago, results still have not been released.

The investigation is being headed by the Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Federal and state regulators are currently searching for conceivable criminal prosecution or civil liability, reported the Associated Press.

TagsCalifornia state of emergency, California oil spill, santa Barbara oil spill, santa Barbara county, Plains All American Pipeline LP