VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Vandenberg SFB Fire Department is scheduled to conduct a series of small, controlled fires for training purposes in June. The goal of these fires is to train newly assigned firefighters and dozer operators in combating wildland fires.
Prescribed, or planned, fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires. Numerous small ignitions of a half-acre to multiple acres will occur on the given approved burn day. These fires will then be suppressed by on-scene firefighters and equipment. Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation.
This prescribed training burn will occur near the intersection of Watt Road and 13th Street on North VSFB, with a burn window of June 12-13 and June 16-27. Approximately 5-10 acres of grassland and coastal sage scrub will be burned over a period of multiple days. The total project area size is 30 acres. The burns will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. on permissive burn days.
Due to changing winds and weather conditions, it is difficult to predict which areas of Santa Barbara County, if any, may be most affected by smoke from the burns. 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. Please use caution while driving near prescribed fire operations.
For questions regarding the Vandenberg Space Force Base Fire Department, contact 30th Space Launch Delta Public Affairs at 805-606-3595 or sld30.pa.workflow@us.af.mil.
For questions regarding prescribed burn operations in Santa Barbara County, contact the county Air Pollution Control District Public Information Office at 805-979-8283 or BantilanL@sbcapcd.org.
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