LINCOLN, Neb. – Smoke associated with prescribed burning in the Central Plains region may affect the air quality in Nebraska. In anticipation DHHS/NDEE have issued a smoke advisory for central and eastern Nebraska from 6 PM Wednesday to 7 AM Friday.
An advisory of possible moderate (yellow) to unhealthy (red) impacts on the air quality index will potentially affect areas including Beatrice, Bellevue, Columbus, Fairbury, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln, Nebraska City, Norfolk, Omaha, and York.
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.
During Unhealthy AQI (red category) conditions, some members of the general public may experience health effects and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious 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 red category, everyone is advised to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and those in sensitive groups should consider moving activities indoors or rescheduling.
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 from ambient air quality monitors located in Omaha, Blair, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff.
The 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/
For more information on burn activity and a smoke outlook, visit the Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management website at https://www.ksfire.org/.
View the seasonal news release for information on the Flint Hills burns at https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/
For AQI readings at individual ambient air monitors and sensors, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/. The Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘AirNow’ smartphone app can also be used to track air quality and fire activity.
