News
News Releases & Air Alerts
APCD Offering Air Quality Sensors to be Hosted at Schools, Nonprofits, and Government Buildings
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.
Celebrate 2025 National Drive Electric Month
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.
Statement from Santa Barbara County APCD Executive Director Aeron Arlin Genet re: District Attorney’s Settlement with Central Coast Agriculture – Buellton Generators Case
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:
Prescribed Burn Information
VSFB Watt Training Burns to Start Tomorrow
WHAT: Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Fire Department will be conducting a prescribed burn of approximately 5-10 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub. The total project area size is 30 acres.
WHEN: June 12-13 and June 16-27. These burns will occur over multiple days. Burning operations may or may not occur on consecutive days, depending on conditions. Burning operations will occur on permissive burn days.
WHERE: This prescribed burn will occur at North Base VSFB near Watt Road and 13th Street.
WHY: The goal of these fires is to train newly assigned firefighters, and dozer operators in combating wildland fires. Prescribed, or planned, fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires. Numerous small ignitions of a half-acre to multiple acres will occur on the given approved burn day. These fires will then be suppressed by on scene firefighters and equipment. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.
Training Burns at VSFB Scheduled
The Vandenberg SFB Fire Department has been scheduled to conduct a series of small, controlled fires for training purposes in June. The goal of these fires is to train newly assigned firefighters and dozer operators in combating wildland fires. Prescribed, or planned, fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires. Numerous small ignitions of a half-acre to multiple acres will occur on the given approved burn day. These fires will then be suppressed by on-scene firefighters and equipment. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires, and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.
This prescribed training burn will occur near the intersection of Watt Road and 13th Street on North VSFB, with a burn window of June 12-13 and June 16-27. Approximately 5-10 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub will be burned over a period of multiple days. The total project area size is 30 acres. The burns will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. on permissive burn days.
Prescribed Burn to Occur to Occur Today
WHEN: May 30, depending on conditions.
WHERE: The Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve (see map).
WHY: The purpose of the prescribed burn is to facilitate coastal grassland habitat restoration at a 40-acre site at the Preserve. The goal is to remove non-native plants and thatch to clear the area for native plant restoration in the fall. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation. The burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers.
Public Notices
Notice of Public Review and Request for Comments
Notice of Public Review and Request for Comments Air Monitoring Network Plan for Santa Barbara County The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District)
Notice of Public Review and Comment Opportunity
Notice of Public Review and Request for Comments Draft Federal Part 70 Permit for the City of Santa Maria Landfill – Santa Maria Regional Landfill
Notice of Public Review and Comment Opportunity
Draft Federal Part 70 Permits for the Orcutt Hill and Casmalia Oil Fields Stationary Source The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) has
