Environment 9-24

Volunteer efforts on 9/19, the 25th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, collected more than 4,124 pounds of garbage-including 2,879 of waste and 1,245 of recyclable material -from 23 beaches and creeks throughout Santa Barbara County. According to the county’s Public Works Department, which coordinated the effort, 687 volunteers turned out to help prevent garbage from clogging area waterways.

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The National Weather Service on 9/22 issued a red flag warning that lasted until 6 p.m. on 9/23, past The Independent‘s press deadline, for the Santa Barbara mountains. Because high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity were expected, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department has responded by readying three additional engines as well as fire staff in the event of another wildfire.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed this week that El Ni±o, a weather cycle signified by a warming of sea-surface temperatures along the equatorial belt, continued to develop in the late-summer months. According to NOAA, a “weak to moderate” El Ni±o can be expected to take hold in the northern hemisphere this fall with the increased likelihood of a “moderate to strong” incarnation settling in for the winter months.