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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an Air Quality Watch for Santa Barbara County due to the transport of wildfire smoke from the Mountain Fire in Ventura County. The Mountain Fire is producing significant smoke, and wind conditions are blowing the smoke plume offshore towards the Channel Islands. Currently ground level air quality conditions onshore throughout Santa Barbara County are good, but these conditions can change quickly if the wind direction changes and pushes the smoke plume onshore. This is a dynamic situation, and local air quality conditions can change quickly. All Santa Barbara County residents are encouraged to stay alert to local conditions by visiting www.ourair.org/todays-air-quality or fire.airnow.gov .
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.