The State of Kansas bans open burning in 16 counties, including Sedgwick, for the entire month of April. Restricted activities include burning trees and brush from land clearing, crop residues, construction debris and yard waste. To comply with the regulations, the Wichita Fire Department will enforce an open burning ban during April. According to a release from the City of Wichita; effective April 1, no new burn permits will be issued and all previously issued burn permits will be suspended until at least May 1, 2025.
This ban does not include outdoor cooking apparatuses, ceremonial fires, or open burning for the purpose of crop, range, pasture, and wildlife or watershed management. The state regulations were implemented to address concerns that smoke from Flint Hills agricultural burning during April impacts urban areas in Wichita and Kansas City by significantly increasing ozone levels.
High ozone levels can present risks to public health. The City of Wichita urges residents to do their part to reduce ozone by complying with the April burn ban.