Direct Relief Santa Barbara handed out hundreds of free N95 masks on Monday in Buellton and surrounding communities as smoke from the Gifford Fire continues to impact local air quality.
Direct Relief set up a distribution site at the Hitching Post in Buellton, bringing 13,000 masks to help community members protect themselves from harmful smoky conditions.
“The health impacts of a wildfire can really affect communities even miles away from the fire, and it really affects populations like the elderly, young children, people with respiratory issues already,” said Allie Kelleher, Direct Relief Program Manager…