CONTACT
Amanda Woita, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, (402) 471-4243;
Amanda.woita@nebraska.gov
Julie Naughton, Office of Communications, DHHS (402) 471-1695 (office); (402) 405-7202 (cell);
julie.naughton@nebraska.gov
Lincoln – Current prescribed burning in Kansas and Oklahoma for the management of prairie and rangelands may affect the air quality in Nebraska. As a result, an advisory of possible moderate air impact has been issued for the evening of March 28 through the morning of March 29 for south and south central Nebraska.
Smoke will potentially affect areas south of and between North Platte and Kearney. Areas to the north of this region may also experience smoke impacts. During yellow category/moderate conditions, unusually sensitive groups should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Smoke advisories are issued for impacted areas 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 sites. Advisories help citizens protect their health by alerting them to days where outdoor activities should be reduced or avoided to minimize exposure to smoke.
Advisories are based on data provided by multiple sources in the region, smoke plume modeling and from air quality monitors located in Omaha, Bellevue, Lincoln, Beatrice, Grand Island and Scottsbluff.
The following Air Quality Index (AQI) is used. This AQI is used nationally. For an hourly update on air quality across Nebraska visit https://www.airnow.gov
For more information on smoke awareness, visit NDEE's website: at http://dee.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/AirSA
For more information on burn activity and a smoke outlook, visit NDEE's website: http://dee.ne.gov/Press.nsf/pages/AirSA-2
View seasonal news release for information on the Flint Hills burns:
https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Smoke-Advisory-System-Activated-for-2022-Flint-Hills-Prescribed-Burns.aspx