A state-approved vegetation management burn began Thursday in the Santa Ynez Valley and may span three days. 

Firefighters hope to burn approximately 240 acres of chaparral, sage scrub, and oak woodland with grassy areas underneath.

The Spaulding/Midland burn approximately 3 miles north of Los Olivos will continue Friday and possibly Saturday. 

“The burn is a strategic fuel reduction with the goal of removing dead fuels that will help prevent the uncontrolled spread of future wildfire,” said Mike Eliason, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. 

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District representatives will monitor conditions closely to minimize smoke impacts. 

A portable air monitor set up nearby will check air quality conditions.

If air quality conditions are deemed unsuitable for the prescribed burn, officials will reschedule the event, APCD representatives said. 

County firefighters and APCD staff planned and coordinated the burn with the San Luis Obispo County APCD, the San Joaquin Valley APCD, the Ventura County APCD and the California Air Resources Board in order to minimize impacts on air quality on surrounding communities.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.