The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is alerting residents across the state about the possible air quality impacts from smoke originating in the western United States.
KDHE says the smoke can cause health problems for everybody, including burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses like bronchitis.
National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chad Omitt says the situation could be worse if the smoke was closer to the ground.
Millions of acres have burned in California, Oregon and other states, with few of the current wildfires under control. At least 30 people have died and tens of thousands of residents have been forced from their homes. Some air quality monitors in western Kansas were reading moderate to unhealthy late in the week before high pressure cleared the lower levels of the atmosphere. Omitt believes it could be late in the week ahead before the situation improves in Kansas, in part because rain and cooler temperatures may come to the Pacific Northwest over the next few days.
While the smoke is overhead, KDHE recommends healthy people to limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, while people with respiratory or heart-related health issues should remain indoors — as should people who either have COVID-19 or were recently cleared. KDHE also says keeping hydrated helps, and people should call their doctors if they have symptoms like chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
