The Flint Hills grass burning season is officially underway, even though recent weather conditions have not allowed any widespread burns.
You may not need the reminder, but the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reminds residents air quality issues often develop during the burn season due to smoke particles, called particulate matter, and ozone that’s often a burn byproduct. Common health issues include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and bronchitis. Folks already with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly may develop more serious symptoms.
KDHE encourages several steps to limit any health issues you might experience, including:
*Limiting or avoiding strenuous outdoor exercise
*Remaining indoors if you have respiratory or heart-related illnesses
*Closing windows and windows or running air conditioners to keep indoor air quality as clean as possible
*Drinking lots of water
*Contacting your doctor if you have symptoms like chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue
On average, over 2 million acres are burned in Kansas and Oklahoma every spring. The www.ksfire.org Smoke Management Tool was activated March 1.
For more information about rangeland burning in the Flint Hills, as well as the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions and the Flint Hills Smoke Management Tool, click here.
