Prescribed burns may send smoke into Northern Santa Barbara County skies this week.

On Monday, the Vandenberg Space Force Base Fire Department conducted a prescribed burn of approximately 5-10 acres of grassland and coastal sage, according to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. 

A different and larger prescribed burn involving Santa Barbara County Fire Department personnel may occur Tuesday through Thursday at the Chamberlin Ranch near Los Olivos. 

The Chamberlin Ranch burn would encompass 102 acres over three days, if conditions remain suitable.

That burn will provide training for new county Fire Department personnel.

“Prescribed burns can help prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation,” officials said. “The burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers.”

Vandenberg also conducted training burns June 15-16 for the department’s Wildland Fire Academy, Space Force officials said. 

A number of small fires, ranging from one-half to 1 acre, were set for crews to hone skills.

“The goal of these fires is to train newly assigned firefighters, and dozer operators in combating wildland fires,” APCD officials said in a written statement. “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.”

Another series of burns may occur in July at Vandenberg, according to APCD officials. 

Prescribed burns are planned and coordinated by the county Fire Department and APCD along with San Luis Obispo County APCD, San Joaquin Valley APCD, Ventura County APCD, and the California Air Resources Board to minimize impacts on air quality on surrounding communities. 

A portable air monitor typically is set up nearby a prescribed burn to monitor air-quality conditions.

Before igniting any prescribed burn, officials assess weather and air quality conditions to ensure they remain favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not as desired, the burning will be rescheduled.

Anyone who sees or smells smoke should avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible. These precautions are especially important for children, older adults, and those with heart and lung medical 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.

To view a statewide prescribed burn map and other features, visit the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS) website: https://ssl.arb.ca.gov/pfirs/firm/firm.php