Due to continued unhealthy air conditions resulting from the Thomas Fire, free N-95 masks continue to be will be distributed as part of a coordinated effort of the Santa Barbara Medical Reserve Corps, City of Carpinteria CERT, City of Lompoc CERT, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, CAL OES, and Direct Relief.

A new free distribution site has been established in Buellton. Free N-95 masks are now being distributed at the Buellton CVS, 218 E Highway 246 in Buellton, during regular hours and while supplies last.

The complete and most up to date sites that will distribute free N-95 masks are listed below.

• Costco in the Camino Real Marketplace (7095 Market Pl Drive, Goleta), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Franklin Community Center (1136 East Montecito Street, Santa Barbara), 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Albertson’s in Carpinteria (1018 Casitas Pass Road, Carpinteria) 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 East Anapamu Street, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Lompoc Home Depot (1701 East Ocean, Lompoc), 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Buellton CVS, (218 E Highway 246, Buellton), 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Please note that the N-95 masks require a tight seal to be effective and as a result the available adult sized masks will provide only limited protection for most children. N-95 masks when fitted properly provide some protection from the fine particles in smoke. Ordinary dust masks and surgical masks do not provide this protection.

Emergency Alert System: It is critical that people in Santa Barbara County register to receive emergency alerts. Sign up at www.AwareAndPrepare.org. If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

Stay Connected:

For ongoing updates, go to www.CountyofSB.org, follow @countyofsb on Twitter and Facebook, or call 2-1-1 from 805 area code, or 800-400-1572 outside of 805.

This information is brought to you by the Santa Barbara County Joint Information Center