Sufferers struggle to deal with smoke, dust

By FINN HARTNETT

Staff writer

With multiple controlled burns blowing dust around last week and more on the horizon, county residents with respiratory problems aren’t breathing easy.

“I can’t go outside as much with smoke in the air, dust, all that,” Florence resident Larry Creamer said.

Creamer has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has required oxygen for six years.

He keeps an oxygen machine in his house and uses a portable device outside.

Burning season is a difficult time of year for him.

“There are days when I can’t even walk out the door,” he said.

Strong winds coming from the east and the south brought dust and smoke from fires in Oklahoma and eastern Kansas last week.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment released an air quality advisory Friday. That evening, Wichita’s air sensor reported “very unhealthy” conditions.

Marion County fared better. The county’s only sensor, located in Goessel, has reported “good” to “moderate” air quality throughout the last six days.

Still, the wind brought a lot of smoke and dust to the county. Friday’s sky was a particularly hazy one.

Creamer said he experienced some difficulties over the weekend.

“The changing weather bothers me day-to-day,” he said Tuesday. “This morning, it’s not too bad, but later when it warms up it might get worse.”

KDHE’s recommendations for staying safe when air quality is poor is to drink lots of water, close windows, and stay inside if you are vulnerable.

If your air conditioner has a filter, you may want to run its fan.

Healthy people should try to limit outdoor exercise.

KDHE also advises the public to contact a physician if they are experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue.

Creamer has lived in the county his whole life and understands why burns must be done.

“Farmers and ranchers have to burn,” he said. “It’s part of nature, really. It’s one thing I have to learn to live with.”

While he has thought about moving somewhere less dusty — he mentioned Arizona — Creamer is unlikely to leave Florence anytime soon.

“This is where I belong, and it’s probably where I’ll stay the rest of my life,” he said.