Red-brown oil washes up on Dauphin Island, Ala., 3 weeks after tar balls found

Red-brown oil washes ashore at Ala. island

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. — Red-brown oil is making its first appearance on an Alabama island near the mouth of Mobile Bay, three weeks after tar balls were found there.

Donald Williamson, director of the state Department of Public Health, said weathered patches of oil washed up on Dauphin Island’s east end Tuesday, prompting officials to close some state waters to fishing and post warnings urging beachgoers to stay out of the water.

Dauphin Island is a popular tourist destination.