Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for Flint Hills Prescribed Burns
Summary
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued an Air Quality Health Advisory on April 16, 2026, due to elevated Air Quality Index values from prescribed burns across the Flint Hills. Increased burning activity on April 15 resulted in elevated AQI readings this morning, with winds expected to carry additional smoke from ongoing burns. KDHE and partners continue implementing the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan to mitigate air quality impacts.
What changed
KDHE issued an air quality health advisory following prescribed burns in the Flint Hills that elevated particulate matter and ozone levels across downwind areas. The advisory contains health recommendations for all individuals including limiting outdoor exercise, staying indoors, keeping windows closed, and contacting a doctor if experiencing respiratory symptoms. No compliance obligations or enforcement actions are associated with this advisory.
Affected parties should monitor air quality conditions through AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and follow recommended precautions, particularly individuals with respiratory issues, heart or lung disease, children, and elderly persons. The Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan continues to guide burn activities to minimize smoke impacts, but this advisory imposes no new regulatory requirements on landowners, agricultural operators, or the public.
Archived snapshot
Apr 17, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
KDHE Issues Air Quality Health Advisory due to Prescribed Burns
Press Releases Posted on April 16, 2026 | Last Updated on April 16, 2026
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory, as conditions were ideal for burning across the area yesterday (April 15), including the Flint Hills. Yesterday's burning led to increased Air Quality Index (AQI) values across the area this morning. We expect the winds to be 5-15 mph today from the south so expect more prescribed fires and smoke to occur before rain chances tomorrow. You can view the current air quality, AQI and fire activity for your area on AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.
Burning within the Flint Hills occurs annually to help preserve the tallgrass prairie, control invasive species such as Eastern Red Cedar and Sumac and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning minimizes risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas and can be carried long distances.
Prescribed burns release large amounts of PM and substances that can form ozone. PM and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children, and elderly may experience worse symptoms.
Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:
- 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 plenty of water.
- Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue. KDHE and partners continue to implement the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan to help mitigate air quality impacts that result from burning. The plan includes recommendations to minimize and disperse the smoke produced by burning.
For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills and the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, please visit the Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management website.
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