State officials have issued an air quality advisory for much of southeast Nebraska due to smoke associated with prescribed burning in the Flint Hills region.
The advisory will take effect at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, through 9:00 a.m. Sunday, March 22. The following counties are subject to this advisory: Butler, Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, and Washington.
Smoke from this burning may reach levels that are unhealthy for children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease, and other respiratory or heart conditions.
Breathing smoke can cause asthma attacks, worsen chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and cause problems for some people with heart disease. People at risk should watch for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain. Those who experience these symptoms should contact a medical care provider.
When the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches the orange category, that means the air quality is unhealthy for individuals with higher sensitivity to air pollution. People at risk should watch for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Those who experience these symptoms should contact a medical care provider. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and have quick relief medicine readily available.
Those at risk can further protect their health when air quality is poor by staying indoors, keeping windows and doors closed, using a HEPA filter, and using the recirculate setting when using a vehicle’s heater or air conditioner.
When the AQI is in the red category or worse, the air quality is unhealthy for everyone, and everyone should follow the guidance provided above.
Smoke levels can change with the weather and with how much smoke the fires create.
Residents can monitor AQI in real time for Nebraska at airnow.gov.