Friday, December 22, 2017 — Santa Barbara County APCD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 22, 2017

Contact:

Susan Klein-Rothschild, Santa Barbara County Public Health Deputy Director, (805) 896-1057

Lyz Hoffman, Air Pollution Control District Public Information Officer, (805) 961-8819

Air Quality Warning Downgraded to Air Quality Watch

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District have downgraded the Air Quality Warning to an Air Quality Watch. Air quality has improved significantly over the past several days, although areas could still be affected by winds stirring up ash. The Air Quality Watch will remain in effect through the weekend and Monday holiday.

The volume of ash deposited as a result of the Thomas Fire is unprecedented, and future wind events may stir up ash and affect air quality. The District and Public Health have been working together with regional, state, and national agencies to provide resources for ash clean-up.

Leaf blowers should not be used while there are large amounts of ash in our environment. Using leaf blowers stirs up the particles and can contribute to larger particles becoming smaller, more harmful particles. Using leaf blowers during this time could result in a violation of District regulations. See www.OurAir.org/122017-news/ for more information.

Before cleaning up ash, check hourly air quality conditions at www.OurAir.org/todays-air-quality/. Ash clean-up should never be done by people who have lung or heart conditions.

·         See best practices for cleaning up ash when air quality conditions allow, including information on street sweeping: https://www.ourair.org/ash-cleanup/ & http://countyofsb.org/cleanup.sbc