A ban on open burning will be in effect for the month of April in the City of Wichita, along with Sedgwick County and 15 other counties including Marion, Chase, Butler and Cowley counties.
The ban is in effect each year to help reduce the impact of agricultural burning in the Flint Hills, which increases ozone levels in the Wichita and Kansas City areas. The ban is part of a Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan that has been implemented by the state.
There will be a ban on burning trees and brush from land clearing, along with the burning of crop residues, construction debris and yard waste. The ban does not include outdoor cooking, ceremonial fires, or open burning for the purposes of crop, range, pasture, wildlife and watershed management.
No new burn permits will be issued during the month of April and all previously-issued permits will be suspended until at least May 1st.
Higher ozone levels could cause the Wichita region to be in violation of Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and that could lead to increased regulations that would cost businesses and residents millions of dollars. High ozone levels can also present risks to public health.
