MEDIA ADVISORY
June 20, 2024
Contacts:
Aeron Arlin Genet, Air Pollution Control Officer, Santa Barbara County APCD, (805) 979-8282
Jesse Hendricks, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, Vandenberg SFB Fire Dept., (805) 606-5380
Patrick Harrower, Media Operations Chief, Space Launch Delta 30 Public Affairs, (805) 757-7398
Prescribed Training Burn to Today and Tomorrow
WHAT: Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Fire Department will be conducting a prescribed burn of approximately for training purposes, of approximately 100 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub.
WHEN: June 20-21, depending on conditions.
WHERE: Near the intersection of Watt Road and 13th Street on North Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB).
WHY: This prescribed burn will be a series of small, controlled fires for training firefighters at Vandenberg SFB. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation. The burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers.
WHO: This prescribed burn is planned and coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department with Santa Barbara County APCD, San Luis Obispo County APCD, San Joaquin Valley APCD, Ventura County APCD, and the California Air Resources Board to minimize impacts on air quality on surrounding communities.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: When you can see or smell smoke in your area, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important to children, older adults, and those with heart and lung conditions. If you are sensitive to smoke, consider temporarily relocating and closing all doors and windows on the day of the burn. Symptoms of smoke exposure can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest tightness or pain, nausea, and unusual fatigue or lightheadedness. Use caution when driving near prescribed burns.
A portable air monitor will be set up nearby to monitor air quality conditions.
This burn depends on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not as desired, the burn will be rescheduled.
To view a statewide prescribed burn map and other features, visit the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS) website: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/pfirs/firm/firm.php
