WHAT: Approximately 281 acres of sage and oak understory will be burned.
WHEN: November 8-10, depending on conditions.
WHERE: Sedgwick Reserve in the Santa Ynez Valley.
WHY: The burn is being conducted to reduce fuels in the area to protect neighboring communities. 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.
WHO: This prescribed burn is planned and coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department with Santa Barbara County APCD, San Luis Obispo County APCD, San Joaquin Valley APCD, Ventura County APCD, and the California Air Resources Board to minimize impacts on air quality on surrounding communities.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: When you can see or smell smoke in your area, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important to children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions. If you are sensitive to smoke, consider temporarily relocating and closing all doors and windows on the day of the burn. Symptoms of smoke exposure can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain, nausea, and unusual fatigue or lightheadedness. Use caution when driving near prescribed burns.
A portable air monitor will be set up nearby to monitor air quality conditions.
This burn depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not as desired, the burn will be rescheduled.
To view a statewide prescribed burn map and other features, visit the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS) website: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/pfirs/firm/firm.php
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Air quality on Saturday evening was terrible. My weather app showed “Smoke” in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Why Sedgewick? It’s supposed to be a preserve. What about the animals? Who’s making money on these burns? When will people learn to value air quality?
My mistake: Sedgewick RESERVE, not preserve. Apparently protection of Sedgewick wildlife comes second to protecting “nearby communities.”
You are, quite obviously, unfamiliar with what goes on at the Sedgwick Reserve, right down to the spelling.