'Unhealthy' Air Quality Continues Into Wednesday For Parts Of WI

WISCONSIN — Air quality in Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties remained at a "very unhealthy" level into Wednesday morning as a visible smoky haze lingered over parts of the region from wildfires in Canada.

For parts of Waukesha, the air quality reached "hazardous levels" on Tuesday afternoon before dropping back to "very unhealthy" on Wednesday morning with an air quality index of 248, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources air quality tracker. Much of the Milwaukee area, plus the Madison area, were also at a "very unhealthy" air quality level Wednesday morning.

By Wednesday around 1:15 p.m., the air quality index had gone down, though the rating for Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties remained at "unhealthy," according to preliminary data from the DNR.

An air quality alert for fine particle matter was issued earlier this week by the DNR and it remains active for southern Wisconsin until noon Thursday.

The worst of the smoke was expected to linger until around noon Wednesday, according to the DNR.

You can find updated information on air quality in your region through airquality.wi.gov.

State officials are encouraging people to keep their outdoor activities light and short throughout the air quality advisory.

"Watch for symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath as a sign to take a break or move indoors," the DNR wrote in a news release. "Sensitive groups, which include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, those who are pregnant, and those who work outdoors – should consider moving all events inside."

The fine particle matter concentration in Milwaukee is about 30 times the annual guideline values from the World Health Organization, according to IQAir.com, which tracks global air quality.

Officials said the best way to avoid wildfire smoke is to stay inside with your doors and windows closed. Run air conditioning on recirculate and use an indoor air purifier if possible.

The DNR said you can protect yourself from smoke and low air quality in these ways:

• Stay indoors.
• Close doors and windows.
• Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution - vacuuming, frying food, burning candles or using gas-powered appliances.
• Install a high-efficiency air filter.
• Use an N95 mask if outdoors for long periods.