(WICHITA, Kan.) — Concern over ozone levels has prompted the city of Wichita to enact a burn ban. Effective immediately, no outdoor burning will be allowed with the city limits.
Open burning in certain areas of the state, including Wichita, is restricted during the month of April as part of state regulations enacted last year. The regulations were issued to address concerns over air pollution in the region.
The burn ban will be enforced by the Wichita Fire Department.
The city says ozone is the number one air pollutant problem for Wichita. In the last three years, Wichita has seen a one-day event of extremely high levels of ozone due to Flint Hills burning.
The city says Wichita must maintain ozone levels within the federal ozone standards or it and the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Counties of Sedgwick, Harvey, Sumner, and Butler, will face additional federal restrictions.
The outdoor burn ban does NOT include outdoor grilling for residents.
