Prescribed burn in Tepusquet Canyon to occur this week

WHAT: Prescribed burn of 260 acres of brush and oak understory. WHEN: November 9-13, depending on conditions. WHERE: Near Tepusquet Road in Tepusquet Canyon, east of Santa Maria. WHY: These burns are part of an ongoing management effort to control non-native grasses and establish native bluff scrub vegetation. Prescribed fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires and can help prevent their spread. The burn will be conducted when the meteorological conditions are highly favorable to direct smoke away from population centers. WHO: This prescribed burn is planned and coordinated by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department with Santa Barbara County APCD, San Luis Obispo County APCD, San Joaquin Valley APCD, Ventura County APCD, and the California Air Resources Board to minimize air quality impacts. HEALTH PRECAUTIONS: 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