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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated August 13, 2009
Public Health Contact:
Michele Mickiewicz, Public Information Officer, 805-681-5446,
805-451-3497 (cell)
Air Pollution Control District Contact:
Tom Murphy, Division Manager, 805-961-8857, 805-403-1096 (cell)
Air Quality Watch Re-Issued for Santa Barbara County
–
Particularly Northern Area of County
Falling Ash of Concern
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health
Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
today re-issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County, with
particular attention to the northern areas of the county. Ash from the
La Brea Fire is falling in much of the county. Ash particles are an
irritant, and as time goes on, they are broken up into smaller particles
that can be stirred up into the air, producing localized areas of poor
air quality.
The agencies caution residents to: avoid skin
contact with ash; avoid stirring ash particles up into the air through
cleanup activities; and avoid exercising outdoors in areas where large
amounts of ash have been deposited. Residents are advised to avoid using
leaf blowers for ash cleanup, and to ask landscaping services to avoid
use of leaf blowers. Anyone with heart or lung problems should not do
ash cleanup.
Changing wind and weather conditions will determine whether smoke
from the fire will affect ground-level air quality. If you smell smoke 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 is in the
area. If you have symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be
related to exposure to smoke and 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.
This
Air Quality Watch will be updated on August 14, or as conditions
warrant. For more information, see
this page; sign up for advisory
updates on this page. For recorded advisory updates,
call 805-961-8802
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