Smoke billows over a controlled oil fire in the Gulf of Mexico off Venice, La., May 5, 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard, working with BP, local residents and federal agencies, conducted the burn to help prevent the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Deepwater Horizon, an offshore drilling unit. Smoke billows over a controlled oil fire in the Gulf of Mexico off Venice, La., May 5, 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard, working with BP, local residents and federal agencies, conducted the burn to help prevent the spread of oil following the April 20 explosion on Deepwater Horizon, an offshore drilling unit. SHARE: Download: Full Size (4.42 MB) Tags: Photo Essays Credit: VIRIN: 821133-A-ZSJ86-233.jpg Photo Gallery