Health department encourages Lincoln residents to monitor air quality

Over the next six to eight weeks, smoke from controlled burns in Kansas and Oklahoma may cause elevated levels of smoke in Lancaster County.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is encouraging Lincoln residents to monitor air quality as the spring burning season begins.

LLCHD says residents should keep an eye on the Air Quality Index (AQI) to determine if levels of smoke in the air are unhealthy.

Over the next six to eight weeks, smoke from controlled burns in Kansas and Oklahoma may cause elevated levels of smoke in Lancaster County, according to LLCHD.

Smoke from controlled burns can cause health issues, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, lung disease and other respiratory conditions.

Those at risk should check the AQI before doing strenuous activities outside, LLCHD says.

AQI can be monitored at airnow.gov.  The website is updated hourly with current conditions.

When air quality is unhealthy, those at risk can protect themselves by staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed, according to LLCHD.