Air Quality Advisory Issued for 18 Wisconsin Counties
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory from noon Tuesday until noon Thursday.
Affected counties include Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha.
Authorities expect the PM2.5 AQI (24-hour average) to reach levels categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) to Very Unhealthy (Purple). There is also a possibility of Hazardous (Maroon) NowCast AQI (1-hour average).
Precautionary actions include:
- Very Unhealthy (Purple): Sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activity and move indoors. Individuals with asthma should follow their action plan, and those with heart disease should monitor symptoms and contact healthcare providers.
- Unhealthy (Red): Sensitive groups should consider rescheduling outdoor activities. Shorter, less intense outdoor activities are advised for everyone else.
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange): Sensitive individuals should limit outdoor activities and take more breaks.
According to officials, smoke from wildfires in Minnesota and Ontario is expected to impact air quality, moving south throughout the week. The heaviest smoke impacts, which may include Hazardous AQI levels, are anticipated in northwest Wisconsin, particularly near Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
The advisory will be re-evaluated Thursday morning and may extend beyond noon Thursday. For current air quality updates, visit Wisconsin Air Quality.