Farm producers often burn agricultural grassland. Right now is not a good time due to the dry conditions, but Garry Berges, Geary County Rural Fire Chief, noted if they want to burn brush piles the permit needs to be obtained prior to April 1. Agricultural burning is allowed only in April in the Flint Hills. "Because of the amount of smoke and fires that the farmers, agricultural community are undertaking. "Unfortunately we have a lot of people that complain during that time because of their asthma, they just need to be inside. There's no way to really limit how much smoke, how much fire we allow because these farmers need to get that done so they can get their crops put in the ground or get their cattle back out on the grazing area."
Smoke from the fires can cross roadways. Berges noted often roads can be shut down temporarily to let the smoke go through.