Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has funded five projects in Lompoc to help children, families, and seniors breathe cleaner indoor air. Three community facilities — Lompoc Boys & Girls Club, Lompoc Family YMCA, and Dick DeWees Community and Senior Center — are now equipped with high-efficiency air filtration to serve as Clean Air Centers, spaces where people can gather for clean indoor air during wildfire season. At two elementary schools, APCD funded the replacement of 60-year-old classroom furniture with new furniture that ensures clean indoor air.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is announcing its new Prescribed Burns Map: RxBurns.OurAir.org. Prescribed burns are carefully controlled burns of standing vegetation or burn piles — conducted by trained and certified professionals, usually firefighters — that can help prevent the spread of wildfire, among other ecological benefits. The map is a user-friendly tool to view information about upcoming, active, and past prescribed burns.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff distributed 270 air purifiers in the Cuyama Valley on Friday, a one-day event under APCD’s Clean Air Rooms Program. The school district received 35 air purifiers — one for each classroom and administrative building — and 235 air purifiers were given to residents, the post office, the library, the Sheriff’s Department substation, and the fire station. The air purifiers were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one per household, and proof of address was required. Air purifiers help keep indoor air clean — creating a “clean air room” — when wildfire smoke is affecting air quality.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition (C5), Electric Ride 805, and regional partners invite community members to join free in‑person and virtual events during National Drive Electric Month (September 11 – October 12).

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and County of Santa Barbara Health Department issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County to be in effect until conditions improve. Smoke from the Timber and Plaskett Fires burning in Monterey County has reached Santa Barbara County; currently, ground-level conditions are Good-to-Moderate countywide, with smoke levels more elevated in the northern part of our county.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is pleased to announce that the application window for the 2026 Clean Air Grant Program is now open. Applications will be accepted starting today, Monday, July 27, through Friday, September 4. Approximately $2.3 million is available this year for voluntary projects that reduce emissions and support the adoption of cleaner technologies across Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) is sharing tips to plan for poor air quality caused by potential future wildfire smoke. Smoke and ash contain very small particles known as particulate matter (PM), which can travel from wildfires even hundreds of miles away. These particles harm the lungs and heart, and can cause coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and nausea. Kids, seniors, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung conditions are especially vulnerable to smoke. The best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible.

With enrollment in the 2026 season reaching a record-breaking 60 shipping lines, the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) program is pleased to report that the early-season data is demonstrating continued strong industry cooperation with the voluntary vessel-speed reduction (VSR) program to protect endangered whales and reduce air pollution and ocean noise. 

With the 4th of July holiday coming up, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) reminds Santa Barbara County residents that fireworks cause air pollution that can affect health, especially for sensitive groups like children, seniors, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung conditions.

WHAT: Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Fire Department will be conducting prescribed burns of approximately 5-10 acres per day of grassland and coastal sage scrub.

WHEN: June 5-12. These burns will occur over multiple days. Burning operations may or may not occur on consecutive days, depending on conditions.