Smoke from the massive Madre Fire burning east of Santa Maria prompted air quality concerns for the Tri-Counties. The 35,000-acre-plus wildfire has put up huge clouds of smoke since it started Wednesday afternoon.
The smoke has impacted parts of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. But, because the fire is in a remote area off of Highway 166 between Santa Maria and New Cuyama, the smoke hasn’t caused health concerns for populated areas in the region.
Thursday, air quality throughout the region ranged from good to moderate, with the Carrizo Plain being the only area reaching unhealthy levels of smoke particulates.
Still, air pollution control officials are urging the public to be alert because changing weather and wind conditions could create hazardous smoke conditions.
