After nearly a week, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has lifted its air quality advisory in effect for the KVOE listening area and other parts of the state.
The advisory was announced April 7 due to existing smoke from recent fires and an extended temperature inversion, where air temperatures are stable or climb the further up from the surface air rises — essentially trapping the smoke near the surface instead of allowing it to naturally disperse. Smoky conditions built across the area as burning increased due to relatively calm conditions for several days after the advisory was announced. Increased winds, while adding considerably to the fire danger, have decreased the health hazard.
Residents are still advised to monitor air quality and take several steps to protect themselves if needed:
*Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
*More vulnerable people should remain indoors.
*Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.
*Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
*Contact their doctor for symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
Residents wanting more about Flint Hills burn policies, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan and the annual burn restrictions currently underway through April, can go online to ksfire.org.
