Isla Vista residents burned mattresses and couches on Del Playa Drive as the neighborhood was shrouded with darkness during a blackout on Monday night. McLane Brown / Daily Nexus

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District issued an air quality warning in response to a fire in Ventura County on Tuesday morning.

Isla Vista residents lost power for more than three hours on Monday night, and outages continued through Tuesday. Susan Cox, Southern California Edison spokesperson, said the outages appear to be linked to the Thomas Fire.

The fire has burned an estimated 40,000 acres of land so far, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Ventura County Tuesday morning.

The Public Health Department confirmed that smoke and ash from the Thomas Fire was affecting Santa Barbara air quality and poor conditions may continue over the next several days.

The department said individuals should keep their windows closed and avoid using fireplaces.

If air quality is so poor that indoor air is polluted,“consider relocating to an area where the air is clearer,” the department warned.

UCSB Housing, Dining, and Auxiliary Enterprises confirmed that UCSB is currently experiencing intermittent power outages but important systems are backed up by emergency generators.

They said dining halls will continue to serve food.

UCSB sent out a list of safety tips in case of another power outage. The department said students should use only flashlights if they need emergency lighting, should keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed and should not use the elevators.

The email said students should keep their windows closed and turn off all unnecessary power and appliances in case of a power surge.

UCSB’s Counseling and Psychological Services is only offering limited emergency services “due to power outage, air quality, and limited access to information,” according to an email to UCSB students.

Students should call the 24-hour hotline at 805-893-4411 if urgent support is needed.

CAPS said it is “unclear” when the office will resume normal services. Counselors will see students who had scheduled appointments for Tuesday, but other appointments will be rescheduled once the system is fully restored.

A fire map from the Ventura County Fire Department shows the current burn area of the Thomas Fire. Via Ventura County Fire Department

Thousands of I.V. residents rushed onto Del Playa Drive Monday night in response to the power outage while blasting music, setting off small fireworks and burning two couches, a mattress, one chair and a dumpster.

UCSB students and local officials condemned the illegal lighting of fireworks and burning of furniture in statements released on Tuesday.

Santa Barbara Community College (SBCC) closed its campus at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning in response to the fire. “There is no immediate danger,” SBCC Executive Vice President Paul Jarrell said in an email.

Students were told to evacuate in an “orderly and timely fashion” and staff were on campus to assist, according to Jarell. “I understand the issue this creates regarding finals, but our primary concern is safety,” he said.

He added that power outages are expected to “continue throughout the day and shifting wind conditions are making air quality and visibility issues that will likely worsen through the day.”

SBCC is expected to reopen tomorrow for classes but La Playa Stadium will remain closed, according to SBCC spokesperson Luz Reyes-Martín.

Updated at 4:26 p.m.

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Evelyn Spence
Evelyn Spence harbors a great love for em dashes and runs on nothing but iced coffee, Jolly Ranchers and breaking news. She serves as the managing editor and can be reached at evelyn@dailynexus.com, managing@dailynexus.com or at @evelynrosesc on Twitter.