Nearly 40 years ago, residents of Bhopal, India, experienced what is considered by many to be the worst industrial catastrophe in history – a multi-ton release of methyl isocyanate. The incident became known as the Bhopal disaster.

Along with contributing to thousands of deaths, it is estimated that half a million people were adversely affected by the disaster. The tragedy continues to impact how countries around the world plan and coordinate emergency responses.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), alerts Nebraskans to potential smoke impacts during the spring, when ranchers in the Flint Hills region of Kansas and Oklahoma, and elsewhere throughout the region conduct prescribed burns.