Prescribed burn scheduled at Vandenberg Air Force Base

  • Published
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs

The Vandenberg Fire Department is scheduled to conduct a prescribed burn of approximately 30 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub at Purisma Point Beach Sept. 18, 2019.

 

Burning operations will begin at approximately 8 a.m. and finish by 6 p.m.

 

The goal of this one-day burn is to increase the habitat for the Western Snowy Plover by re-contouring the sand dunes for more suitable nesting conditions while also reducing the risk of wildfire.

 

Personnel from VAFB have partnered with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and the California Air Resources Board in this effort to minimize impacts on air quality on surrounding communities.

 

If you smell smoke, take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities. When you can smell smoke or when it is visible 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 at Vandenberg Middle School to monitor air quality conditions. Data will be available on the Air Pollution Control District's website: www.OurAir.org/todays-air-quality/.

 

Additional prescribed burns will occur through Oct. 31, and follow-up notifications will be made in advance of each burn.

 

For questions regarding the prescribed burn, please contact 30th Space Wing Public Affairs at (805) 606-3595 or Lyz Hoffman, Santa Barbara County APCD public information officer, at (805) 961-8819.