Edhat StaffBy the edhat staff
Local agencies have planned for two separate prescribed burns to take place in Northern Santa Barbara County this week.
A 5-10 acre burn of grassland and coastal sage scrub is scheduled for Monday, June 26, on the Vandenberg Space Force Base. This prescribed burn will occur at the North Base near the intersection of Watt Road and 13th Street in Lompoc.
The goal of this fire is to train newly assigned firefighters, and dozer operators in combating wildland fires. Prescribed, or planned, fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires. Numerous small ignitions of a half-acre to multiple acres will occur on the approved burn day. These fires will then be suppressed by on scene firefighters and equipment.
Prescribed burns can also help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.
The second burn is schedule to take place between Tuesday and Thursday (June 27-29), depending on conditions, at Chamberlin Ranch near Los Olivos.
This will be approximately 102 acres of sage scrub and Oak woodland to train new Santa Barbara County Fire personnel. The burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers.
The County’s Air Pollution Control District states 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. Use caution when driving near prescribed burns,” the agency states.
Portable air monitor will be set up nearby to monitor air quality conditions in both areas.
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/firm/firm.php
