It is Flint Hills burning season in Kansas and Oklahoma and smoke from those fires can impact air quality in Nebraska.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will activate the public smoke advisory system again this year. Smoke advisories will be issued when conditions make it likely that smoke from the burning could impact air quality here. These advisories are developed in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy local health departments and districts, and information provided by multiple sources in the region.
Large areas of Flint Hills rangeland in Kansas and Oklahoma are burned during the spring to provide better forage for cattle, help preserve the tallgrass prairie and control invasive plant species. Prescribed burning minimizes risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources.
Weather conditions can impact when prescribed burns are conducted and the degree to which air quality is compromised. During a typical year, about 2.4 million acres are burned in the Flint Hills region.
If state and local agencies determine that smoke is likely to impact the air quality in Nebraska, a joint advisory will be issued to share the information with the public. Advisories will be posted on the NDEE website, at the DHHS website, and on NDEE and DHHS Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Nebraskans can protect their health on smokey days by:
Keep doors and windows closed and run air conditioners with HEPA filters.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
People with respiratory or heart related illnesses should remain indoors.
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
For current conditions of Nebraska’s air quality and tomorrow’s forecast, visit: https://www.airnow.gov/.
For more information on smoke awareness, visit NDEE’s website at http://dee.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/AirSA