Kansas Air Quality Health Advisory for Prescribed Burns

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Published March 20th, 2026

Detected March 21st, 2026

Summary

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an air quality health advisory for central and eastern Kansas due to smoke from prescribed burns in the Flint Hills. Elevated air pollutant levels, including particulate matter and ozone, are expected from March 20-21, 2026, potentially impacting air quality to 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' or 'Unhealthy' levels.

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What changed

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a health advisory for air quality in central and eastern Kansas, effective March 20 through March 21, 2026. This advisory is due to elevated levels of particulate matter and ozone resulting from prescribed burns in the Flint Hills region, which are conducted annually for land management purposes. The KDHE anticipates that the Air Quality Index (AQI) may range from Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and potentially Unhealthy near active burn sites.

Individuals, particularly those with respiratory or heart conditions, children, and the elderly, are advised to take precautions. These include limiting strenuous outdoor activity, remaining indoors, and ensuring indoor air quality by closing windows and using air conditioners with filters. The KDHE is implementing the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan to mitigate these impacts. While this is a health advisory and not a regulatory mandate with specific compliance deadlines, affected entities and individuals should be aware of the potential health risks and take appropriate protective measures.

What to do next

Limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
Vulnerable individuals should remain indoors.
Close doors and windows and use air conditioners with filters to maintain indoor air quality.

Source document (simplified)

KDHE Issues Air Quality Health Advisory due to Prescribed Burns

Press Releases Posted on March 20, 2026 | Last Updated on March 20, 2026

Conditions will continue to be ideal for burning in the Flint Hills and all surrounding areas today, March 20, through early afternoon Saturday, March 21. Today’s burning activity, combined with remnant smoke from yesterday’s activity, will lead to elevated air pollutant levels throughout central and eastern Kansas. These conditions are expected to exist through Saturday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) will likely range from Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, and even Unhealthy near burn activity. You can view the current air quality, AQI and fire activity for your area on https://fire.airnow.gov/.

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 particulate matter (PM) and substances that can form ozone. Particulate matter 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 following website: www.ksfire.org