A prescribed burn Tuesday in the mountains above Santa Barbara was creating smoke and some concern among residents, but officials say it is not a problem.

The burn was being conducted by the U.S. Forest Service in the Camino Cielo Ridge area near Painted Cave Road, according to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.

This area includes burn areas near Painted Cave, Haney East, and Haney West for approximately 57 acres of combined burning, the APCD said.

Officials added that the burn sites will be staffed 24/7 if there is heat or smoke present.

“This prescribed burn is part of the Santa Barbara Community Defense Zone project,” according to the APCD. “The goal of the burns is to reduce hazardous fuels to reduce the risk of wildfire.”

— Noozhawk editor in chief Tom Bolton can be reached at tbolton@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.