Air Quality Alert Lifted for Santa Ynez Valley

For Immediate Release
July 15, 2024

Contacts
Aeron Arlin Genet, APCD Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer: (805) 979-8282
Ryyn Schumacher, Santa Barbara County Public Health Public Information Officer, (805) 680-8819

Air Quality Alert Lifted for Santa Ynez Valley
Air Quality Watch Continues Countywide

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — As air quality conditions improve, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) have lifted the Air Quality Alert in the Santa Ynez valley and other areas in close proximity to the Lake Fire. Due to the ongoing presence of the Lake Fire, the Air Quality Watch will remain in place countywide, and air quality conditions are forecasted to be Good to Moderate throughout the County. Smoke production is expected to increase later in the week as temperatures warm and the fire becomes more active. All Santa Barbara County residents are encouraged to stay alert to local conditions and be prepared to take steps to protect you and your family’s health.

We encourage everyone to continue to pay attention to conditions around them. Levels of smoke and particles, and areas affected, will vary. If you see or smell smoke in the air, be cautious and use common sense to protect your and your family’s health. Everyone, especially people with heart or lung conditions, older adults, pregnant women, and children, should limit time spent outdoors and avoid outdoor exercise when high concentrations of smoke and particles are in the air.

When air quality reaches unhealthy levels (Air Quality Index at 151 or greater – RED in the chart below), and/or if you see or smell smoke, we recommend that everyone:

Head indoors and remain indoors, as much as possible – the best protection against wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible.
Avoid outdoor activities.
Close all windows and doors that lead outside to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
Create a “clean air room” to keep indoor air quality safe. Turn on your High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) purifier if possible. For information on different ways to create a “clean air room,” click here.

Drink plenty of fluids to keep respiratory membranes moist.
Per California Code of Regulations, employers are required to provide N95 respirators to employees working outdoors in unhealthy air quality due to wildfire smoke.
If you are an essential worker and must work outside during wildfire smoke conditions, the use of a well and tightly fitted N-95 mask provides protection.

If you have symptoms that may be related to exposure to smoke and soot, contact your doctor. Symptoms include repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, and nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.

To sign up for Air Quality Alerts visit: https://www.ourair.org/subscribe/

EPA’s Fire & Smoke Map: https://fire.airnow.gov/#

Tips for Ash Clean-Up: https://www.ourair.org/ash-cleanup/

Create a Clean Air Room: https://www.ourair.org/clean-air-rooms/

July 15 Screen Shot from EPA’s Fire & Smoke Map

Air Quality Index