FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                
July 25, 2008

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

Public Health Contact:
Michele Mickiewicz, Public Information Officer, 805-681-5446

Air Quality Advisory No Longer in Effect for Santa Barbara County 

Residents Urged Not to Use Leaf Blowers for Ash Clean Up

SANTA 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 that was in effect for the Goleta area has been lifted, and there are no air quality advisories currently in effect.

There will continue to be slightly higher levels of particles in the air from time to time in different parts of the county, due to the ash from the Gap Fire. Strong winds can also stir up ash and dust particles into the air weeks and sometimes months after a fire is out, as happened last year in October and December after the Zaca Fire.

Residents are urged to use their own judgement to minimize exposure if it is obvious that smoke, ash, or dust is in the air. When cleaning up ash or soot, residents are urged not to use leaf blowers, or do anything that stirs particles up into the air. Residents and businesses that employ gardening services are urged to ask their services not to use leaf blowers.

For more information, see smoke page, and today's air quality page. For recorded advisory updates, call 805-961-8802.

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