[RWebb]

I've hiked in the area and besides being an early and current oil production spot, oil just oozes out of the ground in many places. Only other place I've seen that is Wyoming.

I expect the news article is correct that O2 is getting in and mixing with some oil.

Could also be a hot springs shifting around - there is a place near Bridgeport like that - several bathers have been killed when the hot water shifted suddenly. EtOH & Drugs probably helped....