Prescribed burns taking place in Santa Barbara County this week

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – Both the Air Pollution Control District and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department are scheduling prescribed burns this week to counter wildfire risk in the area.

Below is the SBCFD and Air Pollution Control District's announcement of their prescribed burn:

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department plans to conduct prescribed fire pile burns in the areas of San Antonio Creek and Twin Ridge this week, as conditions allow. 

Approximately 15 piles of cut vegetation will be burned as part of the San Antonio Creek pile burns. Approximately 50 piles of cut vegetation will be burned as part of the Twin Ridge pile burns. Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff review the Smoke Management Plan and provide conditions to minimize smoke impacts in Santa Barbara County. Burning will occur when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers. 

Prescribed burns are planned and coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County APCD, San Luis Obispo County APCD, San Joaquin Valley APCD, Ventura County APCD, and the California Air Resources Board to minimize impacts on air quality on surrounding communities. Prescribed fire burns are dependent on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable to smoke dispersion. If the conditions are not as desired, the burn will be rescheduled. 

Due to changing winds and weather conditions, it is difficult to predict which areas of the county, if any, may be most affected by smoke from the burn. If you smell smoke, take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities. When you can smell smoke or when it is visible in your area, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important to children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions. If you are sensitive to smoke, consider temporarily relocating and closing all doors and windows on the day of the burn. Symptoms of smoke exposure can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain, nausea, and unusual fatigue or lightheadedness. Please use caution while driving near prescribed fire operations.

SBCFD and ACPD