As the Gifford Fire continues to spread, smoke and ash have settled across large portions of Santa Barbara County, raising health concerns and prompting alerts from local officials. Residents are urged to take precautions, especially those with respiratory issues or sensitivities.

Nastacia Echavarria, a Santa Maria resident, has felt the effects of wildfire smoke before and is once again adjusting her daily routine.

“I am a resident here. I recently was living in Santa Barbara [during] the Thomas fire,” adding “I’m someone who has asthma and really bad allergies. I could see how it affected me and my breathing, even when my windows and doors were all closed,” Echavarria said.

The ashes are visible in many outdoor areas, making air quality concerns more tangible. Echavarria described, “T

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