it's hard to get off. the washes are taking a long time. >> reporter: this sea lion caught in the spill now getting a scrubbing, but with a toothbrush. now, a setback for cleanup efforts in the ocean. four-foot waves forcing oil-skimming boats to leave the area. tonight, two popular state parks remain closed this important holiday weekend. take a look at the hundreds of buckets, filled with oil recovered from this tiny beach. with miles of coastline to clean, this could take several weeks. amy? >> thank you. now to breaking news in the gulf of mexico. the oil rig burning on the water. 28 crew members safely evacuated, back on land. the coast guard spots a slick more than a mile long. located near louisiana, holds up to 4,000 barrels of oil. and the company says the wells have been shut down. and the state department finally releasing the first of