APCD
Update by the Air Pollution Control District
November 28, 2023
Prescribed burn of approximately 275 acres of sage scrub and Oak woodland at the Midland School on Figueroa Mountain Road will continue this week.
This is to complete the Spaulding / Midland prescribed burn that was started in October.
The burn is planned for November 28-30, depending on conditions, and will occur over 3 days.
By the Air Pollution Control District
November 13, 2023
A prescribed burn of approximately 470 acres of sage scrub and Oak woodland will continue this week.
This is to complete the Spaulding / Midland prescribed burn that was started in October. Depending on conditions it will take place Monday through Wednesday at the Midland School, 5100 Figueroa Mountain Road.
This burn is Vegetation Management broadcast burn to achieve strategic wildland fuel reduction in effort to reduce the risk of wildfire for the residential communities of Woodstock Ranch, Oak Trail Estates, and Midland School. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation. T
he burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are favorable for burning safely and directing smoke away from population centers. However, nearby residents should prepare for the potential for residual smoke in the evening hours and into the morning on the following day.
This prescribed burn is planned and coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department with 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.
TREX Training Burn to Occur During the Next Week
A second prescribed burn is scheduled to take place from November 13-18, depending on conditions.
Approximately 54 acres will be burned during the training period, lasting up to three days. A mixture of grasses and oak woodland will be burned at the UCSB Sedgwick Reserve, northeast of Los Olivos.
This burn is facilitated by TREX (Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges). TREX exercises bring firefighting partners together to expand their experience with prescribed burns and are facilitated independently of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department will participate by providing fire contingency resources to ensure the fire is contained to the property of origin.
In partnership with the UCSB Cooperative Extension, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) California, and TNC North America, the burn is planned and implemented by private burn bosses in coordination 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. The burn is 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 or cancelled.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: 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. Use caution when driving near prescribed burns due to reduced visibility.
A portable air monitor will be set up nearby to monitor air quality conditions.
This burn depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not as desired, the burn will be rescheduled.
To view a statewide prescribed burn map and other features, visit the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS) website: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/pfirs/
