Print edition: 
Property owners throughout rural Kansas are rushing to burn off unwanted vegetation before April 1, when most controlled burns are banned in 16 counties, including Sedgwick and Butler.
That could lead to some drifting smoke in Wichita and other areas, despite regulations aimed at reducing smoke in populated areas.
Today, winds below 15 mph have created good conditions for burning, and 12 controlled burns are under way, including three that are more than 60 acres, said Ryan Mitchell, a shift supervisor for Butler County Communications.
County officials have advised property owners to burn now to beat the April 1 ban, which was recently imposed to cut down on pollution during ozone season.
Large burns in Butler and Sedgwick counties resulted in unusually heavy smoke passing through Wichita for about two hours Thursday afternoon. That spurred dozens of 911 calls about smoke and irritated some peoples' eyes and lungs.
In mid-March, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment warned that burning season had begun in the Flint Hills rangeland.
The burns improve forage for cattle, eliminate invasive species such as eastern red cedar and sumac and help minimize the danger of uncontrolled grass fires.
"If these burns take place when meteorological conditions do not disperse the smoke, air pollutants from the burns can affect persons in the Flint Hills and can be carried long distances to more populated areas," the state reported.
The state suggests people take precautions when smoke passes through, particularly if they have health issues.
Among recommendations:
* Healthy people should curtail or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
* People with heart or breathing related illnesses should remain indoors.
* Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running the air conditioner on 'recirculate' setting.
* Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water.
* Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
