Smoke from Kansas prescribed burns may impact Nebraska air quality

LINCOLN, Neb. — Smoke associated with prescribed burning in the Central Plains region may affect the air quality in Nebraska.

The Department of Environment and Energy and Department of Health and Human Services have issued an advisory of possible Moderate (yellow) to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange) Air Quality Index impacts may occur in parts of central and eastern Nebraska, potentially affecting Beatrice, Bellevue, Columbus, Fairbury, Grand Island, Hastings, Lincoln, Nebraska City, Norfolk, Omaha, and York during the morning of April 12, 2025, through mid-day April 13, 2025.

This is a result of prescribed burns in Kansas. March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills. Prescribed fire is a tool used by landowners and managers to help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce the air quality and health impacts.

During Moderate AQI (yellow category) conditions, those who are unusually sensitive to particle pollution may experience health effects. When conditions rise to the yellow category, those who are unusually sensitive are advised to consider shortening outdoor activities and reducing the intensity of these activities. Symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath are signs to take it easier.

During Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI (orange category) conditions, members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, pregnant women, and outdoor workers. When conditions rise to the orange category, sensitive groups are advised to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion and avoid intense outdoor activities.

Advisories are issued for areas of anticipated impact by notifying the media and local health departments and posting information on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy's (NDEE) webpages and social media accounts. These advisories provide information to the public on the anticipated impacts on air quality and resources to help citizens protect their health and minimize exposure to smoke.

States monitor smoke levels and weather conditions to determine when impacts to air quality are anticipated. Advisories are based on data from the National Weather Service (NWS), the states of Kansas and/or Oklahoma, smoke plume modeling, and ambient air quality monitors located in Omaha, Blair, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff.

The following Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to describe air quality and suggest actions individuals can take to protect their health. This AQI is used nationally and is available in real-time for Nebraska by visiting https://www.airnow.gov.

For more information on smoke awareness, visit NDEE's website at https://dee.nebraska.gov/air/smoke-awareness-nebraska.

For more information on burn activity and a smoke outlook, visit the Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management website at https://www.ksfire.org/.

View seasonal news releases for information on the Flint Hills burns at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=583.

For AQI readings at individual ambient air monitors and sensors, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.