Latest news with #WisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Warning About 'Unusual Fatigue' Extended for Millions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Officials in Wisconsin extended an air quality advisory impacting millions through Friday night as smoke pollution reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Breathing in the smoke could worsen preexisting health conditions or cause new issues. People were told to monitor themselves for symptoms such as unusual fatigue, as it could indicate a serious problem, specifically for those with heart conditions. Why It Matters Widespread air quality alerts and advisories were issued across the Upper Midwest on Thursday due to dense wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada. The fine particle pollution—PM2.5—reached levels classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) or worse in numerous counties, prompting warnings from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The primary populations at risk include older adults, children, and those with existing heart or respiratory conditions. Officials emphasized that even brief exposure to air pollutants carried in wildfire smoke can lead to exacerbation of underlying medical problems, trigger new symptoms, or prompt emergency medical needs, particularly among vulnerable groups. A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023. A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023. Angela Weiss/Getty What To Know The alert took effect at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and will remain in place at least through Friday night at 11 p.m. Nearly all of Wisconsin is currently under the advisory, except for the southwest part of the state. Dozens of counties in northern, central, and southeastern Wisconsin are affected. The advisory covered both rural and urban areas, including cities such as Milwaukee, Green Bay, and La Crosse. The DNR and National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents, especially those with asthma, heart disease, or other lung problems, to reschedule or move activities indoors to minimize exposure. Younger children, older adults, and anyone noticing symptoms such as coughing or unusual fatigue were also advised to limit outdoor activity and seek medical attention if necessary. A Wisconsin DNR spokesperson told Newsweek on Thursday that there have been 11 air quality alerts issued so far this year, nearly triple the number of such alerts issued in 2024, reflecting the increased scope and frequency of wildfire-driven smoke incidents across the Midwest this summer. However, 14 such alerts were issued in Wisconsin in 2023 as Canadian wildfire smoke descended across the U.S. that year. Prior to 2023, there were zero alerts in 2022, and six alerts in 2021. Air quality alerts were also issued in Minnesota and Michigan on Friday. What People Are Saying The Wisconsin DNR spokesperson told Newsweek: "Wildfires occur frequently in the US and Canada throughout the summer months, so we will continue watching for potential smoke impacts as long as there are active wildfires." An NWS air quality alert for Wisconsin: "Canadian wildfire smoke has entered northwest Wisconsin Thursday and will continue to move to the southeast through the remainder of the day. On Friday, smoke will begin moving south. Winds will begin turning southerly Friday night into Saturday, at which point the smoke will begin moving back north. It is possible that the advisory will need to be extended into Saturday for some areas of Wisconsin." What Happens Next The air quality alert was scheduled to last through Friday night, with the potential for extension or geographic adjustment based on updated data from air monitors and forecast models. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant for updated alerts and to monitor their own health closely, especially individuals in higher-risk categories.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Alert Issued Urging People to Monitor Themselves for 'Unusual Fatigue'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A slew of air quality alerts was issued across the Upper Midwest on Thursday, advising some residents to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as "unusual fatigue." Newsweek reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by email for comment. Why It Matters Residents across Wisconsin faced potentially hazardous air quality on Thursday due to a mass of wildfire smoke drifting from Canada. With fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels reaching thresholds deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups, state officials responded by issuing advisories for more than a dozen counties. The move underscored the ongoing public health risk posed by recurring wildfire smoke events, which have grown increasingly common in recent years as large blazes persist in Canadian provinces. Vulnerable individuals—especially those with heart or respiratory conditions, children, and older adults—have been warned that even brief exposure can trigger symptoms or exacerbate underlying health issues. What To Know The Wisconsin DNR issued an air quality advisory beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, impacting the counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Iron, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Vilas, and Washburn. Burning forest fire in British Columbia in Kootenay National Park. Burning forest fire in British Columbia in Kootenay National Park. James_Gabbert/Getty According to state officials, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5—tiny particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs—was forecast to reach levels classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) and, in some areas, "Unhealthy." The advisory stemmed from dense smoke originating in ongoing Canadian wildfires, particularly from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, that migrated south into the Upper Midwest. The smoke plume was expected to reach the Duluth/Superior area between 6 and 9 a.m. and gradually move southeast, extending impacts throughout the day and possibly into the weekend. As meteorological conditions change, the alert area was scheduled to be updated in response to real-time monitoring and predictive models. The official alert recommended that residents—especially those with preexisting lung or heart disease, asthma, young children, and older adults—take precautionary measures. These include limiting the intensity and duration of outdoor activities, moving activities indoors if possible, and staying alert for any new or worsening symptoms. For all residents, staying indoors and keeping windows closed remained a key precaution while smoke persists in the area. Health officials urged residents to monitor themselves for symptoms associated with poor air quality. Key symptoms to watch for included: Coughing Shortness of breath Throat irritation Unusual fatigue Chest discomfort Heart palpitations People with asthma were advised to follow their asthma action plans and keep quick-relief inhalers readily available. Those with heart disease were instructed to contact their health care providers if symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unexpected fatigue developed. The advisory also encouraged all residents, including healthy individuals, to keep outdoor activities shorter and less intense, and to go inside if any symptoms present. What People Are Saying Air quality alert issued in Wisconsin: "People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider." A Wisconsin DNR webpage about wildfire smoke: "Larger and more frequent wildfires are a growing public health concern, as wildfire smoke from larger fires can travel and impact air quality hundreds or even thousands of miles away and cause a wide range of health impacts based on a person's sensitivity to pollutants and the amount of pollutants in the air." What Happens Next The air quality advisory remained in effect through Thursday with a possibility for extension or adjustment depending on updated smoke projections and AQI readings. As southerly winds are forecast to return over the weekend, state officials anticipated that smoke may be pushed farther north, allowing air quality to improve gradually in majority of the state. However, lingering smoke impacts could require advisories to remain in effect for certain regions.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wisconsin DNR warns public to watch for tree-killing insect this summer
(WFRV) – Wisconsin officials are asking residents to stay alert for a destructive invasive insect that could arrive in the state this summer: the Asian long-horned beetle. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), though the beetle has not yet been detected in Wisconsin, it has already established itself in neighboring states, including Ohio. The insect is known to attack maple trees and other deciduous species, posing a series threat to the state's forests. Deciduous plants are trees and scrubs that shed their leaves seasonally. Fox Valley nonprofit heals PTSD with music therapy for vets Image courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR Adult Asian long-horned beetles are shiny black with white spots and measure between 1 and 1.5 inches in length. Their most destructive feature is their long, black and white banded antennae. They are typically active from July through September. Green Bay native pitches for Rockers, prepares for Division-I baseball in SEC Image courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR Anyone who suspects they've spotted one is asked to take clear, close-up photos and note the exact location. Reports should be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Pest Hotline 866-440-7525 or emailed to DATCPPestHotline@ For more information or help identifying the beetle, residents can also contact their regional DNR Forest Health specialist: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wisconsin DNR: Invasive Asian longhorned beetle, what to know
The Brief The Wisconsin DNR has a heads-up about a "destructive, invasive" insect. The Asian longhorned beetle has been found in six states, including Illinois. The beetles are active from July through September. MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a heads-up for residents about a "destructive, invasive" insect that may arrive this summer: the Asian longhorned beetle. Local perspective According to the DNR, the beetle has not yet been found in Wisconsin. However, infestations have been found in six states – including Illinois. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Big picture view The beetles are native to China and the Korean Peninsula. It is believed they got to North America as stowaways in wood packing materials. They have also been found in Europe. What we know Adult beetles can reach 1.5 inches in length. They have shiny black bodies with white spots. There are black-and-white stripes on their antennae. They are active from July through September. Why you should care The Asian longhorned beetle attacks maples and other trees that lose their leaves each fall, the DNR said, such as birch, elm and poplar trees. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Asian longhorned beetle eggs are laid on the tree and, after they hatch, the larvae tunnel under the bark and into the wood. Adults emerge the next summer by chewing an exit hole through the bark. If they become established in North America, the DNR said there will be "serious environmental and economic impacts, especially to maple forests and industries that use maple products." What you can do Anyone who thinks they spotted an Asian longhorned beetle is asked to take high-quality, close-up photos and note their location as precisely as possible. The beetle can easily hide in forewood, the DNR said, so avoid moving firewood long distances. Any new and emerging insects should be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Pest Hotline at 866-440-7523 or via email. For more information about identifying or controlling Asian longhorn beetles, contact the DNR Forest Health specialist for your part of the state. The Source FOX6 News referenced information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for this report.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Water quality improvement project to benefit Oconomowoc River watershed
Work recently wrapped up on a $500,000 construction project in Oconomowoc to improve an unnamed stream, locally known as Cottonwood Creek. The Oconomowoc Watershed Protection Program kicked off the stream restoration construction about 18 months ago, and finished on June 10, according to Erik Joost, watershed manager of OWPP. He said the work will improve the water quality of the creek, which flows into Lake Lac La Belle. "We're in Lake Country, that speaks for itself," Joost said. "Water quality has a huge influence on the community and culture in the area." Cottonwood Creek is one of three tributaries of Lac La Belle. A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream, river or lake. Lac La Belle has been designated as impaired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources due to excessive phosphorus levels. Lac La Belle is one of the 17 connected lakes in the Oconomowoc River watershed system in northern Waukesha County. The 49-mile-long system ultimately drains into the Rock River. Cottonwood Creek is plagued by high phosphorus concentration and sediment, according to Joost. Sediment is when naturally occurring particles like sand, clay and silt settle at the bottom of a body of water; it can become a source of pollution when excessive amounts enter waterways, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. High phosphorus can negatively impact water quality and flow, the EPA said, because it promotes chlorophyll in the water, causes excessive algae growth and can be fatal to aquatic life. The EPA lists sediment as the most common form of pollutant in rivers, lakes and streams. Many factors can contribute to this, including erosion from both private and public property, according to Joost. Cottonwood Creek flows through agricultural land, a golf course and a marsh before it drains into Lac La Belle. To complete the project, OWPP worked closely with Tall Pines Conservancy, which has staff with experience in working on stream restoration. Paul Meuer, land protection manager with Tall Pines Conservancy, said in a news release that the project will help keep Lac La Belle clean, healthy and vibrant. He said crews used proven ecological techniques like planting native wetland vegetation to absorb excess nutrients before they reach Lac La Belle. They also installed root wads, strong tree root systems, sometimes with the trunk of the tree still attached, along the banks to provide habitat for aquatic life and to act as a natural protection against erosion, Meuer said. Joost said the restoration efforts will work to slow down the stream's flow, block sediment and encourage sediment to settle out. Overall, Cottonwood Creek will flow with curves and bends that will reduce erosion and improve drainage, the release said. For this project, which Joost said cost roughly $500,000, OWPP worked with a municipal flood control grant program through the DNR. This grant offers a 50/50 cost share partnership. The remaining funds were donated and contributed by the Lac La Belle Management District, the City of Oconomowoc, the Town of Oconomowoc, Tall Pines Conservancy and the Village of Lac La Belle. Part of the OWPP's mission is to work closely with farmers. When Joost started as a watershed manager with the OWPP two years ago, one of the first farmers he met told him about the erosion he had noticed on Cottonwood Creek and asked for some help. Shortly after, OWPP started looking into different options, talking to stream engineers and identifying grants they could go after for the restoration, Joost said. Six months later, OWPP was approved for the grant. They then moved into the permitting and design process, and construction has taken place for the past 18 months. OWPP's mission is to work in partnership to protect and improve water quality in the Oconomowoc River watershed. "I grew up fishing these lakes and rivers, and I love the waters of Lake Country," Joost said. "I recreate on them, I appreciate them for just how pristine they generally are. It's a resource that's not commonly found. It's just a special area." Liliana Fannin is a 2025 summer intern at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covering the Milwaukee suburbs. Have a tip? She can be contacted at lfannin@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc stream restoration project completed on June 10
