SoCalSwag
Update by edhat staff
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reports Monday is a scheduled permit burning day.
PERMIT BURNING/BURN DAY STATUS- The County’s 911 Dispatch Ctr. has had several inquiries for smoke visible in certain areas. Please remember to check our website, https://t.co/d7cdCyJru8, and click on the Permit Burning link to learn more about Burn Days and Permitted Burning. pic.twitter.com/dvDD2jA5zL
— SBCFireInfo (@EliasonMike) February 11, 2019
Additionally, the Los Padres National Forest Service released the following press release:
“Los Padres National Forest officials today announced plans to begin implementing their annual prescribed burning operations on the Forest. When favorable weather conditions are present, specific project locations and dates will be shared on the Forest’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The objectives of the projects are to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to people and communities, create conditions which offer a safer and more effective wildfire response, foster more resilient ecosystems, and minimize the effects of large wildfires on the landscape.
When implementing these projects, fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the “prescription” or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation and relative humidity that need to be present before the project begins. When the criteria are met, crews implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined by managers. The prescribed fire program will continue through the winter and spring months as permitted by weather and other environmental factors.
Prescribed fires including both understory and pile burning are intended to reduce the amount of vegetation, such as needles, small plants, brush, and small trees which can carry fire from the forest floor into the treetops. Studies and experience have shown that prescribed fires stimulate the growth of grasses, forbs and shrubs that provide food for deer, mountain quail and other wildlife.
The ignition of all prescribed burns is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment and appropriate conditions. Prescribed burn planning and execution are closely coordinated with the National Weather Service and Air Quality Management Districts in order to manage smoke production and minimize impacts as much as possible.
When these burns occur, information signs will be posted along the roadways to alert the public to the burning activity and subsequent visible smoke in the area.
For questions on the Los Padres National Forest prescribed fire program, please contact Gregory Thompson at (661) 245-3731.”
By an edhat reader
Looking towards Santa Barbara from Goleta I see a plume of strong smoke, any idea what it is?
Many of the big fires around here have started out looking just like that. Having lived in an area threatened by several of them, ANY smoke can make a person a bit nervous.
And you’re going to cover the cost for a tree service to clear even 10 or 20 acres or rent the chipper and the labor to do it.
I agree that the chances are low for a wildfire. However I still have a lot of respect for Mother Nature, and her ability to ‘allow’ the unexpected. And, if a fire gets hot enough, it can dry out things pretty fast.
Thank you!!! I saw that plume and wondered myself. Even with on a ‘permit day’, it is still a bit unnerving for many to see smoke now. May it remain under control…
I should also add, that the first place I checked was CHP dispatch to see if a ‘report of fire’ was listed, and when one wasn’t… I came straight to EDHAT! And, of course, I wasn’t disappointed! It was already reported, and answered 🙂
Let’s get rid of permit burning. New rule: wood chippers required for ALL clearances on farms, ranches….just like the rest of us who have to safely dispose of tree cuttings. Their convenience isn’t worth an uncontrolled wildfire destroying all our residences.
A wood chipper doesn’t remove the fuel. In fact, it makes it dry out faster and increases surface area, making it easier to burn. Not a good idea.