Sedgwick TREX Training Burn to Occur Today

MEDIA ADVISORY
November 14, 2022

En Español 

Contacts:
Aeron Arlin Genet, Air Pollution Control Officer, Santa Barbara County APCD, (805) 979-8282
Scott Safechuck, Public Information Officer, Santa Barbara County Fire, (805) 896-6336

Sedgwick TREX Training Burn to Occur Today

WHAT: In partnership with the UCSB Cooperative Extension. Approximately 20 acres will be burned over 1-2 days. A mixture of grasses and shrubs will be burned.

WHEN: In the morning of November 14, 2022, depending on conditions.

WHERE: This burn will occur on the Sedgwick Reserve in the Santa Ynez Valley.

WHY: This prescribed burns are 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.

WHO: TREX event prescribed burns are conducted independent of the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.  These events and are 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 in order 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. 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.

A portable air monitor is 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/firm/firm.php