Author: Lyz Bantilan

Health Notice to Local Landscapers

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) –Please be aware that the County Public Health Department and the Air Pollution Control District are strongly recommending NO USE OF LEAFBLOWERS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. No ash clean-up at residential and commercial properties should occur until this health notice is changed. If any landscaping or gardening activity is necessary it is essential to make sure all personnel are wearing properly fitting N-95 masks. If you need these for staff, they can be obtained free of charge from the Public Health Dept. at 805-681-5100. Spanish speakers will be available.

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More Air Quality Information Now Available

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District has set up temporary air monitoring stations to record levels of fine particles (PM 2.5) in Carpinteria, Santa Ynez, and Los Alamos. See Today’s Air Quality for current conditions in these locations and throughout the county.

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Unhealthy Air in Santa Barbara County — Air Quality Warning Continues

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. —Monitoring stations continue to record unhealthy air in Santa Barbara County, with levels of fine particles high and levels of larger particles, including ash particles, rising. Forecasts show that smoke and ash will continue to affect the southern part of Santa Barbara County for the next several days, and the Santa Ynez Valley and the northern parts of the County will see increasing impacts. The Air Quality Warning will remain in effect until conditions improve, which will depend on winds, and the control of the Thomas Fire. To view the smoke forecast and current conditions, see Today’s Air Quality. Updated forecasts will be posted there. Please assume the Santa Barbara air quality index applies to Carpinteria as well. Air quality conditions may be worse close to the fire.

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Unhealthy Air Quality Continues in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The air quality index shows unhealthy air quality in Santa Barbara County and air quality  continues to worsen. Santa Barbara air monitoring station has recorded “hazardous” levels, the Goleta station has recorded “very unhealthy” levels and the Lompoc station has recorded  “unhealthy” levels.  With the Thomas Fire continuing to burn we anticipate continued concerns about air quality. N95 masks, when fitted properly, offer some limited protection from fine particles in smoke. Dust masks and surgical masks are not effective.

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Unhealthy Air Quality in Santa Barbara County

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. —The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today noted that air monitoring stations in Goleta and Santa Barbara recorded levels that were unhealthy for all to breathe yesterday. Smoke and ash from the Thomas Fire burning in Ventura County may continue to affect local air quality for days. Levels of smoke and particles, and areas impacted, including potentially other areas of the county, will vary, and conditions could change quickly. The agencies emphasized that the Air Quality Warning for Santa Barbara County remains in effect until conditions improve.

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APCD Board Actions – October 19, 2017

Agenda  |  Meeting Video  |  Minutes Approval of Minutes – Approved minutes of the September 7, 2017 meeting. Notice of Violation Report – Received and filed the summary of notices of violation issued and penalty revenue received during the months of August and September 2017. District Grant Program Activity – Received

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Care for Our Earth Grants for County Teachers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO), Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and Santa Barbara County Water Agency announced today that applications for the 2017-2018 Care for Our Earth teacher grants are due on November 3, 2017.

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Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County Through the Weekend

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County through the weekend. Smoke and ash from wildfires burning throughout the state are affecting local air quality, and may continue over the next several days. Even when wildfires occur outside of our county, air quality can be affected by wildfires miles away.

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Notice of Public Workshop

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) will hold a public workshop at the time and location listed above to discuss the draft revisions to Rule 360. The draft rule revisions require all newly installed and modified natural gas units to meet a lower oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission standard. These standards are based on similar requirements adopted by the San Joaquin Valley Unified APCD (Rule 4308) and the South Coast AQMD (Rule 1146.2).

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