FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                
July 7, 2008

APCD Contact:
Bobbie Bratz, Public Information Officer, 805-961-8890

Public Health Contact: Susan Klein-Rothschild, 805-681-5435

Air Quality Advisory for Santa Barbara County Changed to Precautionary

Smoke May Still Affect Some Areas; Ash May Be in the Air

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today changed the Air Quality Advisory for Santa Barbara County to a precautionary advisory. Although air quality in much of the county has improved, some areas may still be affected by smoke and ash from the Gap Fire in the Goleta area and the Basin Complex Fire in Monterey County. The precautionary advisory will be in effect for all of this week, unless conditions change. Changing winds, weather, and fire conditions will determine which areas are affected by smoke and ash, and the levels of these in the air.

If smoke or ash are 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 outdoor exercise when smoke and ash are in the air. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to exposure to smoke or ash 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. Ash from the fire may be stirred up into the air at any time, resulting in higher particle levels in the air.

When cleaning up ash or soot, use vacuums with HEPA filters, sweep gently with a broom, use damp cloths, spray areas lightly with water, and take your car to the car wash. Don’t use leaf blowers, or do anything that stirs the particles back up into the air, and try not to use large amounts of water to clean up areas. .

For more information, see smoke page, and today's air quality page. Also see Santa Barbara County website  and InciWeb Incident Information System for information on the Gap Fire. For recorded advisory updates, call 805-961-8802.

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