Poor air quality expected in Wisconsin Friday from Canadian wildfires
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will produce unhealthy air quality in Wisconsin on May 30.
The Department of Natural Resources said in a statement May 29 that as the wildfire smoke pushes in ahead of a cold front, much of the state will potentially reach the Red Air Quality Index, which is considered unhealthy for people.
The state is expected to remain at level orange, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and the southwestern portion of the state, mostly along the Mississippi River valley, will mostly stay at level yellow, or a moderate level of poor air quality.
Out-of-control wildfires prompted a state of emergency in Manitoba, Canada, where thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes.
The DNR is asking Wisconsin residents who are part of sensitive groups, like people with preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma, should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense.
The National Weather Service is issuing the air quality alert for the entire state. The May 30 forecast calls for highs in the 70s with storms expected in the afternoon and evening.
It's OK to be active outdoors but take more breaks, the DNR said. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
Residents can check air quality in Wisconsin at airquality.wi.gov/home/map.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Poor air quality expected in Wisconsin from Canadian wildfires
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