FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                
Updated May 10, 2009

Air Pollution Control District Contact:
Tom Murphy, Technology and Environmental Assessment Division Manager, 805-961-8857 or 805-403-1096 (cell), or
Bobbie Bratz, Public Information Officer, 805-455-6403 (cell)

Air Quality Watch Continues for Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today is continuing the Air Quality Watch for Southern Santa Barbara County. Air quality has improved overall, and residents are now cautioned to be careful when cleaning up ash deposited during the Jesusita Fire.

If you sense high levels of particles in the air where you are, be cautious and use common sense to protect your family’s health. Everyone, especially people with heart or lung disease (including asthma), older adults, and children, should limit time spent outdoors, and avoid doing anything to stir ash or soot particles back into the air. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to exposure to particles, including repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, contact your health care provider. 

Residents are also cautioned to avoid stirring up soot particles during cleanup and especially to avoid using leaf blowers. Anyone with heart or lung problems should not do post-fire cleanup. When cleaning up ash or soot, residents are urged not to use leaf blowers, or do anything that stirs particles up into the air. People who use gardening services should ask their services not to use leaf blowers. In addition, children should not be allowed to play in areas with a lot of ash on the ground. Skin contact with ash should be avoided; pets should be washed, and ash should be removed from outside toys and play equipment. Cars should be taken to the car wash.  When cleaning up it may be useful to spray areas lightly with water, however, it is best to divert the water to lawn or garden areas so that ash-filled water does not flow into runoff systems and the creeks.

The District will continue to monitor air quality conditions, and will issue a new advisory if conditions change.  

Return to News Releases or News & Notices