See smoke coming from McConnell Air Force base? Here’s why
Two weeks of controlled burns at McConnell Air Force base may cause smoke to linger in the area through the end of the month.
The burns began along the southeast side of the base March 18 with other selected brush piles scheduled to be burned, weather permitting, over the next two weeks, a base public affairs officer said in a press release Wednesday. Nearby residents could see intermittent smoke depending on wind conditions for days after the burns.
The later burns are planned for grasslands along the south-central and southeast corners of the base, as well as along select creek beds.
The purpose of these controlled burns is to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires by removing excess vegetation, a base spokesperson said.
McConnell’s planned burn comes in the weeks ahead of the county’s April burn ban, when typically permitted burning is prohibited.
The April burn ban is issued annually to reduce the adverse effects burning has on health and air quality. No new open burning permits are issued during the month, and permit-holders are also prohibited from conducting open burns. Pasture, crop, range, wildlife and watershed management burns are allowed, but require a permit from Sedgwick County Fire District 1.
