The Santa Barbara County Fire Department plans to conduct a prescribed burn at the Sedgwick Reserve in the Santa Ynez Valley in early November, depending on conditions. Prescribed fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires. Prescribed burns help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.
The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) reviewed and revised an air toxics Health Risk Assessment (HRA) for the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Santa Barbara Focalplane (LMC) facility under the AB 2588 Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Program.
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is excited to announce that its newly upgraded Permitted Facilities Map recently won the “Best Practices” award given by the national Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA). APCD received the award at the AAPCA conference in North Carolina in September. APCD is one of the only air districts in California to provide such a tool.
See news release, issued yesterday by the office of Assemblymember Gregg Hart, regarding the signing into law of legislation establishing a statewide “Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies” program.
Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies, a vessel speed reduction program for safer whales, cleaner air, and a quieter ocean, has released a mid-season report on the 2025 season, which runs May through December.
BWBS encourages and verifies shipping companies’ cooperation with NOAA’s voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) requests to transit at 10 knots or less during the VSR season. Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) releases this status report at the half-way point summarizing how program participation and cooperation are trending.
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) popular Old Car Buy Back Program has undergone a major upgrade, and is now accepting vehicles model year 2002 or older and is now paying participants $2,200 per vehicle. Previously, only cars model year 1997 or older were accepted, and participants were paid $1,000.
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is offering to install approximately 150 air quality sensors at schools, government buildings, and nonprofit organizations throughout Santa Barbara County to measure fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, from smoke, soot, and dust. Air quality sensors — such as PurpleAir sensors — are great for capturing neighborhood-level air quality conditions and complement APCD’s existing network of permanent air quality monitoring stations.
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District), Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), Electric Ride 805, and other partners are excited to sponsor a series of free in-person and virtual events during National Drive Electric Month (September 12 – October 12).
National Drive Electric Month is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Local events will provide opportunities for the public to experience a wide range of electric vehicles (EVs), connect with EV owners, and learn how to take advantage of financial incentives before they expire.
MEDIA STATEMENT August 15, 2025 Contact: Lyz Bantilan, Public Information Officer, (805) 979-8283 Statement from Santa Barbara County APCD Executive Director Aeron Arlin Genet re: District Attorney’s Settlement with Central Coast Agriculture – Buellton Generators Case We are relieved that this case is now settled, and we appreciate the work
The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and County of Santa Barbara Health Department have upgraded the Air Quality Watch to an Alert for the Cuyama area, which is in closest proximity to the Madre Fire. Smoke and ash from the Madre Fire is affecting air quality. Conditions can change quickly, and an Air Quality Watch remains in effect for the rest of the county.
