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Smoke, Ash From Brush Fires In Santa Barbara County Creating Air Quality Concerns

(Photo by Mike Eliason, Santa Barbara County Fire Department)
Smoke from the Whittier Fire (shown) and the Alamo Fire in Santa Barbara County are causing major air quality issues

The two brush fires burning in Santa Barbara County have had a major impact on the region’s air quality.

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District has issued an air quality warning because of the smoke, and ash impacts from the Alamo, and Whittier Fires.

District officials say if you see smoke, or there is ash falling, you should limit your time spent outdoors, and avoid outdoor exercise. It’s especially important for people with heart or lung disease, older people, and children. They say it comes down to using common sense to protect your health, and your family’s health.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.