Santa Barbara Tea Fire: Direct Relief International, Santa Barbara County Public Health Distributing Free Particulate Masks Today
MacKenzie Park Location Open from 11 AM to 2 PM for Residents
Santa Barbara, Calif. - Direct Relief International is coordinating with Santa Barbara County Public Health and the Office of Emergency Services to distribute free N-95 particulate respirators at MacKenzie Park today from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Free masks will be distributed to area residents in the parking lot off Las Positas, near the intersection with State Street. The N-95 masks help protect against inhaling particulate matter in smoke and ash, a particular concern for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Air quality warnings due to the fast-moving Tea Fire have been issued through the area, advising residents to limit outdoor activity. The fire has burned 2,000 acres as of this morning.
As of 8 AM Friday, November 14, more than 100 homes have burned; three people have suffered burns and at least 10 have suffered from smoke inhalation. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated, with 210 at the Red Cross shelter staged at San Marcos High School at Turnpike and Hollister. A total of 480 masks are being delivered to the shelter.
Winds that reached up to 70 mph last night have subsided this morning, assisting the 1,000 fire personnel fighting the fire.
Resources:
Call center number: (805) 681-5197
Evacuation information: 211
Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services: http://www.countyofsb.org/ceo/oes0.aspx?id=2332
About Direct Relief International
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief works in 59 countries and has delivered more than $1 billion in privately funded humanitarian medical aid to health professionals serving impoverished communities since 2000. Direct Relief is one of two charities ranked by Forbes that has received a perfect fundraising efficiency score for five consecutive years and is ranked by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as California’s largest international nonprofit organization based on private support. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.
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