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Prepare for Wildfire Smoke Impacts

The Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, and Ventura County Air Pollution Control Districts (APCD) encourage residents to prepare for potential poor air quality caused by smoke, now that the area has entered peak wildfire season.

Smoke and ash from wildfires contain very small particles known as particulate matter that can travel hundreds of miles. These particles harm the lungs and heart and can cause coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulty, chest pain, nausea and, in severe instances, premature mortality. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, kids, and pregnant women are especially sensitive.

The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible when smoke is present. Take these steps to stay safe.

Electric Off-Road & Landscape Equipment Demonstration in Santa Maria

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is excited to announce a free electric off-road and landscape equipment demonstration:

WHEN: Wednesday, July 9, 10AM to 1PM
WHERE: Allan Hancock College – South Campus Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) Track, 1300 South College Drive, Santa Maria

APCD Hearing Board 90-Day Variance- July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INFORMATION In-person: 260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA, Wisteria Conference room Public Notice (PDF) Case No. 2025-12-N (90-Day Variance) Imerys Filtration Minerals, Inc. 2500 Miguelito Road Lompoc, CA 93436 Hearing – To consider a 90-Day Variance from District

APCD Board Actions – June 26, 2025

SPECIAL MEETING Approval of Minutes – Approve minutes of the May 15, 2025 regular meeting. Update on Public Outreach Activities – Receive and file an update on District outreach activities. District Grant and Incentives Program Activity – Receive and file the following grant program related activity: An update on the Heat Clean

APCD Launches Upgraded Permitted Facilities Map

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is announcing its newly upgraded Permitted Facilities Map, which serves as an easy-to-use tool for the public to find and view records for all of the stationary sources of air pollution permitted by APCD. The map offers a full suite of unique and innovative features.

SCCBCC Agenda – June 26, 2025 – CANCELLED

SOUTH CENTRAL COAST BASINWIDE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL COUNCIL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICERS Gary Willey, APCO San Luis Obispo County APCD Ali Ghasemi, APCO Ventura County APCD Aeron Arlin Genet, APCO Santa Barbara County APCD COUNCIL MEMBERS Kate Secrest, Vice Chair Councilmember, City of Arroyo Grande San Luis Obispo County Pedro

VSFB Watt Training Burns to Start Tomorrow

WHAT: Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Fire Department will be conducting a prescribed burn of approximately 5-10 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub. The total project area size is 30 acres.

WHEN: June 12-13 and June 16-27. These burns will occur over multiple days. Burning operations may or may not occur on consecutive days, depending on conditions. Burning operations will occur on permissive burn days.

WHERE: This prescribed burn will occur at North Base VSFB near Watt Road and 13th Street.

WHY: The goal of these fires 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 given approved burn day. These fires will then be suppressed by on scene firefighters and equipment. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.

County Fire News Release: High Fire Season Declared in Santa Barbara County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2, 2025 En Español Contacts: Lyz Bantilan, APCD Public Information Officer 805-979-8283 See news release issued by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, including information about preparing for smoke impacts during wildfire season. Please contact APCD Public Information Officer, Lyz Bantilan, regarding any air quality questions.

Training Burns at VSFB Scheduled

The Vandenberg SFB Fire Department has been scheduled to conduct a series of small, controlled fires for training purposes in June. The goal of these fires 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 given approved burn day. These fires will then be suppressed by on-scene firefighters and equipment. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires, and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.

This prescribed training burn will occur near the intersection of Watt Road and 13th Street on North VSFB, with a burn window of June 12-13 and June 16-27. Approximately 5-10 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub will be burned over a period of multiple days. The total project area size is 30 acres. The burns will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. on permissive burn days.

Prescribed Burn to Occur to Occur Today

WHEN: May 30, depending on conditions.

WHERE: The Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve (see map).

WHY: The purpose of the prescribed burn is to facilitate coastal grassland habitat restoration at a 40-acre site at the Preserve. The goal is to remove non-native plants and thatch to clear the area for native plant restoration in the fall. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation. The burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers.