Wet conditions this winter and early spring have ag producers looking forward to starting controlled burns whenever there has been a break in the weather, but two state agencies are asking residents to slow down the burns if at all possible.
Both the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Agriculture are urging residents to reduce the acreage they plan to burn, and coronavirus is the reason why. KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman says the COVID-19 pandemic could overwhelm the state’s medical facilities, and respiratory concerns from breathing smoke particles like burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and related illnesses like bronchitis would only make the situation worse.
Both agencies also urge land managers to use the online Smoke Management Tool and Smoke Model, both available at www.ksfire.org, before they burn.
The request for fewer burns on a voluntary basis came as area residents took advantage of a mild, dry day to set off a lot of grass fires. There were over 100 controlled burns called in to Lyon County Emergency Communications just Thursday. Of those, only one required emergency assistance. Emporia and Dunlap firefighters were called to the 200 block of Road 230 shortly before 2 pm. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says about five acres burned. There were no injuries and no structures damaged.
