Press Releases

2026 Press Releases

10-13-26: yak tit?u tit?u yak ti?hini Northern Chumash Tribe Cultural Burn Johnson Ranch Open Space Area Week of October 19

Community members can expect to see smoke near Highway 101 just south of San Luis Obispo.

The cultural burn will be at Johnson Ranch Open Space just south of San Luis Obispo the week of October 19, 2026. The exact date is dependent on weather conditions.

This cultural burn is an interagency operation hosted by yak tit?u tit?u yak ti?hini Northern Chumash Tribe with support from CAL FIRE/ San Luis Obispo County Fire Department, the City of San Luis Obispo Fire Department, and the SLO County Air Pollution Control District (SLO County APCD). This is a collaborative vegetation management effort that is being continued after previous burns at this location were successful and is now being adopted as part of the region’s broader Sustainable SLO efforts to achieve environmental sustainability and resiliency.

Smoke will be present in nearby communities on the day of the prescribed burn. The SLO County APCD will be working collaboratively with all agencies involved to ensure up-to-date air quality information is provided to the public.

Children, the elderly, and those that already have a respiratory condition are the most susceptible to the health impacts of smoke and should use caution if they smell smoke.

These cultural burns are dependent on weather and air quality conditions that are favorable for smoke dispersal. If the conditions are not optimal, the burns may be rescheduled.

About Cultural Burns

Indigenous Tribes of California have had a cultural relationship with fire for over 10,000 years and recognize its role and responsibility to support life on the land. These cultural burns are controlled, often smaller burns, that are led by Indigenous fire practitioners for the purpose of revitalizing plants, reducing wildfire risk, enhancing habitat, and broadly maintaining Indigenous lifeways and native ecosystems. Similar to prescribed burns, cultural burns are an important tool used to minimize fire hazards and the likelihood of uncontrolled future wildfires that would have the potential to induce significant air quality impacts on the local community.

About Sustainable SLO
Cultural burns are supported by the City of San Luis Obispo as a Sustainable SLO effort. Sustainable SLO refers to the City and the broader region’s combined efforts to achieve environmental sustainability and resiliency through strategic action. This includes preserving natural areas, reducing risks associated with a rapidly changing climate, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, and promoting sustainable tourism, business practices, and community engagement. The goal is to make the community and its economy more resilient while maintaining its quality of life for future generations.

SLO County APCD will continue to closely monitor air pollution levels throughout the region. Visit the APCD website https://www.slocleanair.org/air-quality/air-quality-forecast.php to see current air quality conditions and forecasts for SLO County. Sign up to receive air quality text messages through our AirAware text notification system at https://www.slocleanair.org/air-quality-alerts.php.

9-28-26: NOTICE OF HEARING & PUBLIC WORKSHOP AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT HEARING BOARD

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Hearing Board is providing notice to the public that it will conduct a hearing and workshop on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers located at 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo.

The Hearing Board will receive an informational update on activities in Stipulated Order of Abatement 17-01 issued to California Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division.

A public workshop addressing the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Annual Report and Work Plan (ARWP) will also be held at this time. The workshop will include a presentation of the draft ARWP by State Parks, and a presentation on the adequacy of the ARWP and effectiveness of mitigation by the ARWP and Scientific Advisory Group. After considering comments received at the workshop, the APCO will make a final decision on the ARWP. Approval of the ARWP may include conditions imposed by the APCO.

The hearing and workshop will provide an opportunity for the public to make in-person general comments on any item considered. The public is invited to provide written public comments in advance of the workshop. Comments can be emailed to boardclerk@slocleanair.org.

To view all related documents, or to find out more about the efforts to mitigate dust emissions from the Oceano Dunes, visit https://SLOCleanAir.org/air?quality/oceano-dunes-efforts.php.