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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APCD Contact: Public Health Contact: Susan Klein-Rothschild, 805-681-5435 Precautionary Air Quality Advisory for Santa Barbara County in Effect through the WeekendSmoke and Ash May Still Affect Some Areas; Residents Urged Not to Use Leaf Blowers for Ash Clean UpSANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District today announced the precautionary Air Quality Advisory will continue to be in effect through the weekend. Although air quality in the county has improved, some areas may still be affected by smoke and ash. The ash that has been deposited will be continually re-entrained and re-deposited by vehicle traffic and wind for some time, and could produce localized areas of unhealthy particle concentrations. When cleaning up ash or soot, residents are urged not to use leaf blowers, or do anything that stirs particles up into the air. In addition, when spraying areas with water, 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. 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. 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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