Updates on fires and Nebraska's air quality
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Department of Health, the Douglas County Health Department and support from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are providing the latest forecasts and information regarding the impact prescribed fires and wildfires have on air quality. There are a multitude of variables that factor into any smoke advisory prediction: the weather, the number of acres being burned and the fuel load on those acres, to name a few. A news release will be provided on the DHHS website when air quality impacts are anticipated. Additional information can be found at the Flint Hills Smoke Management Association web page Smoke Model forecast.*
In 2018, Nebraska DHHS announced a public smoke advisory system which was developed in coordination with NDEE, Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department and Douglas County Health Department. In each subsequent year, DHHS has issued news releases about the activation of the system: "Smoke Advisory System Activated for 2023 Flint Hills Prescribed Burns." *
Updated information: As of March 10, 2023, there have been no smoke advisories issued by DHHS and NDEE. This webpage will be regularly updated when smoke advisories are issued in the 2023 burn
AirNow: For current conditions of Nebraska’s Air Quality and tomorrow’s forecast, go to NDEE’s link to federal AirNow web site pages:
. Smoke Outlook
(This information was last updated, March 10, 2023.)
Friday, March 10: Surface high pressure will move toward the Great Lakes, generating southeasterly to east-southeasterly winds. These winds will carry smoke from potential fires in the south-central and southwestern Flint Hills into Wichita.
Saturday, March 11: Southeasterly winds early in the day will carry smoke from potential fires in the far southwestern Flint Hills into Wichita. By late afternoon and into the evening hours, winds will shift to northerly as a low pressure system approaches the Oklahoma panhandle. These winds will transport additional smoke into Wichita from potential fires in the far west-central Flint Hills.
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Daily and Weekly Updates: To view daily updated maps and forecasts in the Flint Hills region, select Access Smoke Model.* The Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management website also provides summary updates that are posted weekly through the prescribed burn season. Click here to view Weekly Updates from Kansas Flint Hills Smoke Management. *
Smoke Awareness in Nebraska: For more information about burning activities in Flint Hills and their potential impacts in Nebraska, visit NDEE’s main Smoke Awareness Page
Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan: For more detailed information about the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, go to www.ksfire.org. *
Facebook Connection: Frequent updates can also be found at the KS Flint Hills Smoke Management Facebook page. NDEE also posts frequent air quality updates on its Facebook and Twitter pages during prescribed burning season. *
* This document contains links to non-NDEE websites; these links will open in a new tab or window.