Announcements____________________________________________
March 2023 Desert Breeze
March 2023, issue of the District's quarterly news letter "Desert Breeze" is now available. Click the link below to download a pdf copy or contact the District to have a copy mailed to you. All back issues can be found by clicking here.
Instructions for obtaining an Open Burn Permit 12/22/22
Permits for fire hazard reduction and tumbleweed pile burning are now obtained online through Community Connect. You can access Community Connect through the link in the sidebar titled Hazard Reduction Pile Burning Permit Application. Instruction for obtaining a burn permit can be found by Clicking Here.
Open Burning on SRA land Announced for the season December 19, 2022
Kern County Fire Department oppend, Open Burning on SRA land within Eastern Kern County for the season on December 19, 2022. Hazard reduction open burning on SRA and non-SRA land requires a burn burmit. You can obtain a burn permit by Clicking Here, or on the hazard reduction pile burning permit application link on the home page sidebar.
Health Effects of Inhaling Smoke
Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burns. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases and are even linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.
People with asthma, heart disease, lung disease, older adults, and children are at greater risk of being affected by smoke. If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from smoke but it's still a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it. It's important to limit your exposure to smoke, especially if you may be susceptible.
How to tell if smoke is affecting you:
Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath. When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.
Protect yourself:
Watch local news and weather stations, pay attention to health warning and air quality reports, you can also use the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI). Use common sense; if it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn, go for a run, or let children play outside.
If your advised to stay indoors take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed. Run an air conditioner if needed but make the fresh air intake is closed and the filter is clean. Do not use a swamp cooler as it will pull in lots of smoke from outside. If your house becomes to hot to be comfortable seek alternative shelter. If it is cool outside try to avoid anything that produces heat from burning such as a fireplace, gas logs, or a gas stove.
Residential Wood Burning
Many Eastern Kern County residents
use woodstoves and fireplaces to heat
their homes.
If you burn please remember to do so
as cleanly as possible.
Never burn household waste in your
woodstove or fireplace and only burn
clean, dry, seasoned wood, and maintain
a hot fire.
Commercial Solar Plant Permitting Requirements
The District has determined commercial solar power plants generate fugitive dust emissions (PM10) in Eastern Kern County. Therefore, in accordance with Rule 201 (Permits Required) and 210.1 (New and Modified Stationary Source Review, NSR), the District is requiring each commercial solar facility obtain a District Air permit.
Best Drive EVer Videos
 The East Kern Air Pollution Control District provided grant funding to support a Project Clean Air Best Drive EVer test drive event. The Tehachapi Apple Festival scheduled in October 2020 was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. Project Clean Air decided to create three EV video stories in place of the live event. The videos feature Kern County EV owners - the Enthusiast, the Commuter, and the Traveler. The videos were filmed in Tehachapi, CA in May and June 2021. Additional footage for the traveler video was shot in and around Bakersfield, CA.
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Homeowner Guide
