The Vandenberg Space Force Base Fire Department is scheduled to conduct a series of small, controlled fires for training purposes in June. The fires are designed to train newly assigned firefighters and dozer operators in combating wildland blazes.

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, according to the Fire Department.

The 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, the department said.

The 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. The burns will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. on permissive burn days.

About 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.

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, the Fire Department said.

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 feeling lightheaded.

Please use caution while driving near prescribed fire operations.