Range-burning in the Flint Hills off to the north-northeast is impacting the air quality in Wichita.
As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, the air quality in the city dropped to within the “unhealthy range” with high levels of PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) in the air.
Those particles are minute, and can travel deep into the lungs, potentially causing health issues — especially for children, older adults, and those with heart or respiratory conditions.
The deteriorated air quality has reached a point at which the government advises precautions, including reducing outdoor activity.
Late last month, the reduced air quality reached a level prompting the City of Wichita to issue an air-quality alert.
Monday night, the U.S. National Weather Service advised that prescribed fires over the Flint Hills would produce significant smoke, and impact central and south-central Kansas into the overnight hours as winds shifted to the southeast.
The burns take place in the Flint Hills for several reasons: vegetation management; grazing distribution; livestock performance; helping plants; and the removal of thatch and litter.
The burns also help wildlife habitat, the prairie ecosystem, and reducing the severity of wildfires.
