Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) is proud to report the 2025 Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Season results from the efforts of participating shipping lines. Over the VSR Season, from May 1, 2025 to January 15, 2026, 787 participating vessels traveled more than 481,000 nautical miles at whale-safer speeds of 10 knots or less. This is up from approximately 425,900 nautical miles and 743 participating vessels in the 2024 VSR Season.
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department plans to conduct prescribed fire pile burns in the San Antonio Creek area (see map) next week, as conditions allow.
Approximately 20 piles of cut vegetation (approximately four combined acres) will be burned as part of the San Antonio Creek pile burns. Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff review the Smoke Management Plan and provide conditions to minimize smoke impacts in Santa Barbara County. Burning will occur when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers.
WHAT: The U.S. Forest Service for the Los Padres National Forest has scheduled prescribed burning in the Camino Cielo Ridge Area near Painted Cave Road and Highway 154.
WHEN: February 27 – March 6. This burn is expected to occur over a one-week period.
WHERE: This area includes a burn area near Haney East (see maps) for approximately 26 acres of combined burning. The burn sites will be staffed 24/7 if there is heat or smoke present.
WHAT: The U.S. Forest Service for the Los Padres National Forest has scheduled prescribed burning in the Camino Cielo Ridge Area near Painted Cave Road and Highway 154.
WHEN: February 5
WHERE: Approximately 3 acres will be burned near the “Glass Factory” area (see map). The burn sites will be staffed 24/7 if there is heat or smoke present.
After a decade of proven success in reducing the risk of ship strikes and improving coastal air quality, the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) program is expanding participation to cruise lines — some of the most visible and fastest-moving ships on the West Coast.
BWBS is a collaborative effort by regional coastal air districts, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries, and Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory to reduce risks to endangered whales and protect air quality. Since launching in 2014, BWBS has worked with more than 50 global cargo shipping lines to incentivize vessel speed reduction to 10 knots or less in key whale habitats.
WHAT: The U.S. Forest Service for the Los Padres National Forest has scheduled prescribed burning in the Camino Cielo Ridge Area near Painted Cave Road and Highway 154.
WHEN: January 28.
WHERE: This area includes burn areas near Haney West (see maps) for approximately 20 acres of combined burning. The burn sites will be staffed 24/7 if there is heat or smoke present.
Hearing Board Agendas Clerk of the APCD 260 North San Antonio Road, Suite A Santa Barbara. CA 93110 (805) 979-8282 The APCD Hearing Board meets on an as-needed basis, often the first Wednesday of the month at 9:30AM. Meeting site is determined by the case(s) being heard, and meetings are
SOUTH CENTRAL COAST BASINWIDE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL COUNCIL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICERS Karl Tupper, APCOSan Luis Obispo County APCD Ali Ghasemi, APCOVentura County APCD Aeron Arlin Genet, APCOSanta Barbara County APCD COUNCIL MEMBERS Kate Secrest, ChairCouncilmember, City of Arroyo GrandeSan Luis Obispo CountyAlternate: Mark Dariz, Council Member, City of Atascadero
For a pdf of this public notice, please click here. State law (Health and Safety Code §40923) requires the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) to publish a list of rules and regulatory measures scheduled for consideration each year. These rules are proposed in order to implement state
WHAT: The U.S. Forest Service for the Los Padres National Forest has scheduled prescribed burning in the Camino Cielo Ridge Area near Painted Cave Road and Highway 154.
WHEN: January 20-25. This burn is expected to occur over a two-week period. If there is potential for continuing burning the week of January 26, an additional advisory will be issued.
