KDHE: Don’t feel the burn (in your lungs)

Controlled burning has prompted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to issue an air quality advisory through Thursday.

The annual burning of grassland in the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem could once again spread heavy smoke over Wichita and other communities, and KDHE is advising residents to take precautions.

According to a KDHE notice, the burns are necessary to control invasive plant species, such as sumac and Eastern red cedar, and to provide better forage for cattle.

But sometimes the wind doesn’t disperse the smoke quickly, resulting in smoky conditions such as those most of the state experienced three weeks ago when Barber County was ravaged by wildfire and several other smaller fires broke out elsewhere.

“One outcome of the (controlled) burns is the release of a large amount of particulate matter and substances that can form ozone in the air during a relatively short time period,” the KDHE advisory said. “Eyes and the respiratory system can be affected by fine particles and can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis.”

The agency issued these recommendations for people to protect their health during the burning period:

▪  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 the “recirculate” setting.

▪  Keep airways hydrated by drinking lots of water.

▪  Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 4:09 PM with the headline "KDHE: Don’t feel the burn (in your lungs)."