The beginning of March signals the start of what’s known as “ozone season” in Wichita.

This is when the city closely monitors air quality levels through to October.

Mayor Lily Wu highlighted the dangers of high air pollution.

“Air pollution is unhealthy for everyone, but especially for children or elderly and those with asthma,” Wu said. “In addition, if our area goes out of compliance with air quality, businesses could face stricter regulations and our citizens could pay higher costs for things like fuel.”

Wichita residents like Kenny Kralicek do what they can to help the air quality in the city, as fire season brings smoke to the air.

He said that he tries to reduce his carbon footprint by not running his engine for too long.

“I don’t sit for hours on end and drive-thrus,” Kralicek said. “Everybody like, acts like they can’t go inside of the store?”

One thing the city of Wichita says people can do to help in their day-to-day lives is to fuel their gas tank after dark to reduce fumes.

The city is also providing an incentive to residents to use more environmentally friendly lawn care equipment.

“Up to $100 rebates are available for people in Wichita and surrounding counties who purchase new noncombustible lot lawn equipment and recycle their old combustible equipment'” Wu said. “Up to $30 rebates are available for mulch blades and no recycling is required.”

The city issues ozone alerts on days when air quality is below the federal standard.

‘Ozone season’ begins in Wichita – KAKE