Roughly 1,600 acres to be burned as part of planned burn near Los Olivos
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the county Air Pollution Control District, and other partnering agencies will burn roughly 1,600 acres of sage scrub and Oak woodland as part of a days-long planned burn near Los Olivos beginning on Monday.
The burn will take place between Monday and Friday between Midland School and 4335 Tim's Road near Los Olivos, according to the Air Pollution Control District.
The planned burn is vegetation management in order to achieve strategic wildland fuel reduction in an effort to reduce wildfire risk for residential communities around Woodstock Ranch, Oak Trail Estates, and Midland School, said Lyz Bantilan, spokeswoman for the Air Pollution Control District.
"Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation," Bantilan said.
The burn will be conducted when weather conditions are "highly favorable" to direct smoke away from population centers, she added.
If residents in the area smell smoke, officials advise that people 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," Bantilan said. These precautions are especially important to children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions."