Author: Lyz Bantilan

2025 Reports Show Voluntary Efforts Deliver Major Reductions in Whale Strike Risk, Noise, and Air Pollution

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.

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APCD Gives 400 Air Purifiers to Old Town Goleta Residents

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff distributed 400 air purifiers to residents of Old Town Goleta on Saturday, as part of APCD’s Clean Air Rooms Program. The air purifiers were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one per household, and proof of address was required to participate. Air purifiers help keep indoor air clean — creating a “clean air room” — when wildfire smoke is affecting air quality,

Eligible residents of Old Town Goleta — as defined by this State of California map — who weren’t able to attend Saturday’s event can now fill out an online application to have a free air purifier shipped directly to their home.

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Prescribed Pile Burns in South County Next Week

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department plans to conduct prescribed fire pile burns in the San Antonio Creek area (see map) over a two-week period from March 9-20, 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.

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Old Town Goleta Residents Can Pick Up Free Air Purifiers on March 14

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is sponsoring an upcoming event at the Goleta Community Center where residents of Old Town Goleta only will be able to pick up a free air purifier. The event will also offer free test drives of electric cars, open to all members of the public. Participants at each event will also receive a free meal (while supplies last). APCD is proud to partner with the City of Goleta to host this event.

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2025 Vessel Speed Reduction Season Results and Rankings

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.

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Prescribed Pile Burns in South County Next Week

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.

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Prescribed Burn in Camino Cielo Ridge Area to Start Tomorrow

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.

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