Canadian Wildfire smoke has returned and upper-level air flow is lining up for us to get blanked with a pretty thick layer of the smoke Wednesday night and into Thursday, according to TMJ4 Chief Meteorologist Brian Niznansky.
Niznansky says a cold front could also draw a lot of this smoke down to the surface with poor air quality.
Video shows haze move through downtown Milwaukee:
Forecast on Thursday: Wildfire smoke and haze will impact air quality and our skies today. This smoke is, once again, from the fires across Canada, being brought in by the mid and upper-level wind pattern. In addition to smoke, skies will be partly cloudy, limiting the amount of sunshine we see. Winds will turn out of the north and northeast today and will be a little breezy by late afternoon. All of this will lead to a day with below-average temperatures; highs will be in the 60s lakeside, with low 70s inland.
A beach hazards statement will be in place for the lakeshores of Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties due to highs swim risk. Stay out of the water and off of piers and breakwaters.
Friday through the weekend will be dry with more sunshine. Friday will still be a little cool for mid-June with highs in the low to mid 70s, but the weekend will be warmer with highs in the mid to upper 70s lakeside and low to mid 80s inland.
The first half of next week looks warm and dry.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, residents should try to limit their time outdoors while the haze blows through:
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is recommending Wisconsinites to reduce their time outdoors due to ongoing air quality alerts resulting from Canadian wildfire smoke.
Health impacts are expected across most of Wisconsin today, where the air quality index is expected to range from the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS to the UNHEALTHY level.
People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should consider making outdoor activities shorter and less intense and reduce heavy exertion. Consider rescheduling or moving events indoors.
Protect Yourself From Wildfire SmokeCleaner air is streaming in from the northeast today and should bring much of the state below the air quality advisory threshold by early Friday morning.
- Check your local Air quality index.
- Get current air quality conditions from the statewide air monitoring network - Wisconsin Data Map [lnks.gd]
- Download the free WisconsinAQM mobile app to receive air quality updates from anywhere using their mobile device. Download in the Apple App Store [lnks.gd] or the Google Play Store [lnks.gd].
- Sign up to receive air quality advisory notices to your email or via text [lnks.gd].
- 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.
This is the sixth time this spring that an air quality advisory has been issued in Wisconsin. All six have been a direct result of Canadian wildfire smoke. Air quality alerts are expected to continue through the summer, as wildfires continue to occur. The DNR asks the public to stay vigilant as alerts are issued.
According to The Associated Press, last week, massive fires burning up stretches of Canadian forests blanketed the northeastern United States, turning the air a yellowish gray and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed.
The small particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe. Health officials say it’s important to limit outdoor activities as much as possible to avoid breathing in these particles.
On Thursday, St. Paul, Minnesota, has the worst air quality in the United States as smoke from massive Canadian wildfires drifts across the state. It comes a week after similar smoke blanketed the northeastern U.S. The Star-Tribune reported the smoke was also “near the worst” on record for the Twin Cities. Air quality hit “red” on the U.S. government’s color-coded index, meaning it was unhealthy for everyone. But the air was particularly dangerous for children, older people and those with asthma and conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The U.S. government air quality website AirNow.gov says St. Paul had an air quality index reading of 256 at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued the following advisory for Thursday, based on the poor quality of air:
Advisory for PM2.5 (Orange/Red)
Start Date/Time: Thursday, June 15 - 8:00 am CDT End Date/Time: Friday, June 16 - 12:00 am CDT Counties: Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Saint Croix, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood Comments: Smoke originating from Canadian wildfires continues to impact the surface across southwest Wisconsin this morning. As daytime heating and vertical mixing increases, surface smoke impacts may also increase, spreading north and east.
The highest PM2.5 concentrations are anticipated in the southwest and Mississippi and Wisconsin River Valleys today, where the air quality index is expected to range from the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS to the UNHEALTHY level. In these areas, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, while everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
Cleaner air streaming in from the northeast along with the formation of a lake breeze this afternoon will lead to lower PM2.5 concentrations across the northern and eastern portions of the advisory area. Here, the air quality index is expected to range from the MODERATE to the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS level. In these areas, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
According to the US. Environmental Protection Agency, during a wildfire, smoke can make outdoor air unhealthy to breathe:
"Local officials may advise you to stay indoors during a smoke event. You should be aware that some of the smoke from outdoors can enter your home and make it unhealthy to breathe indoor air, too."
"If you are close to a wildfire, the fire itself, as well as heavy smoke and ash, can pose serious, immediate risks to your safety and health. You and your family should be prepared to evacuate immediately if told to do so. Farther from a wildfire, you may be exposed to smoke even if the fire itself is far away."
"Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system – whether you are outdoors or indoors, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions."
"If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from short-term exposures to smoke. Still, it's a good idea to avoid breathing smoke – both outdoors and indoors – if you can help it. Learn more about the health effects of wildfire smoke."
The EPA also provided these notes, via its website:
WILDFIRE SMOKE FACTSHEET
Reduce Your Smoke Exposure
When wildfres create smoky conditions, there are things you can do, indoors and out, to reduce your
exposure to smoke. Reducing exposure is important for everyone’s health — especially children,
older adults, and people with heart or lung disease.
Reduce smoke exposure indoors
• Stay inside with the doors and windows
closed. Whether you have a central air
conditioning system or a room unit, use high
efciency flters to capture fne particles
from smoke. Ask an air conditioning
professional what type of high efciency
flter your air conditioner can accept.
• Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have
an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay
inside with the windows closed.
• Do not add to indoor air pollution. Do not
burn candles or use gas, propane, woodburning stoves, freplaces, or aerosol sprays.
Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco
products, or vacuum. All of these can
increase air pollution indoors.
• Use a portable air cleaner to reduce indoor
air pollution. Make sure it is sized for the
room and that it does not make ozone,
which is a harmful air pollutant. Portable air
cleaners can be used along with efcient
central air systems with efcient flters to
maximize the reduction of indoor particles.
• Create a “clean room” in your home. Choose
a room with no freplace and as few windows
and doors as possible, such as a bedroom.
Use a portable air cleaner in the room.
• Have a supply of N95 respirators and learn
how to use them. They are sold at many
home improvement stores and online.
• Long-term smoke events usually have
periods when the air is better. When air
quality improves, even temporarily, air out
your home to reduce indoor air pollution.
Use a portable air cleaner to reduce
indoor air pollution
Reduce smoke exposure outdoors
• Take it easier during smoky times to
reduce how much smoke you inhale. If
it looks or smells smoky outside, avoid
strenuous activities such as mowing the
lawn or going for a run.
• Know your air quality. Smoke levels can
change a lot during the day, so wait until
air quality is better before you are active
outdoors. Check your state or local air
quality agency’s website or airnow.gov for
air quality forecasts and current air quality
conditions. On AirNow, you can also sign up
to get email notifcations, download an air
quality app, or check current fre conditions.
In addition, some communities have visual
range programs where you can assess smoke
conditions by how far you can see.
• Have enough food and medication on
hand to last several days so you don’t have to
go out for supplies. If you must go out, avoid
the smokiest times of day.
• Reduce smoke in your vehicle by closing
the windows and vents and running the air
conditioner in recirculate
mode. Slow down when
you drive in smoky
conditions.
• Do not rely on dust masks or bandanas for
protection from smoke. If you must be out
in smoky conditions, an N95 respirator can
protect you, if it fts snugly to your face and is
worn properly.
• Have a plan to evacuate. Know how you
will get alerts and health warnings, including
air quality reports and public service
announcements (PSAs). Public advisories
can provide important information such as
changing smoke conditions and evacuation
notices. Know your evacuation routes,
organize your important items ahead of
time, and know where to go in case you have
to evacuate.
Reduce your risk of health problems:
• Have enough medication and food (enough for more than 5 days) on hand.
• Follow your health care provider’s advice about what to do if you have heart or lung disease.
• If you have asthma, follow your asthma management plan.
• If you feel sick, reduce your exposure to smoke and contact your health care provider.
• Pay attention to public service announcements, health advisories, and air quality advisories.
For more information:
• Get air quality information: Check your local news, the airnow.gov website, or your state air quality agency’s website.
• Learn about home air cleaners: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home
• Find certified air cleaning devices: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/aircleaners/certified.htm
• Learn how to use an N95 respirator mask: http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/ResourcesAndLinks/Languages/
Documents/English/ENG_ProtectLungsSmoke7208color.pdf
• Fires — Current Conditions: https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires
• Learn more about wildfire smoke: Wildfire Smoke, A Guide for Public Health Officials:
https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/wildfire_may2016.pdf
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CONCERN?
According to The Associated Press, air quality alerts are triggered by a number of factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution — known as “PM 2.5” — which can irritate the lungs.
“We have defenses in our upper airway to trap larger particles and prevent them from getting down into the lungs. These are sort of the right size to get past those defenses,” said Dr. David Hill, a pulmonologist in Waterbury, Connecticut, and a member of the American Lung Association's National Board of Directors. “When those particles get down into the respiratory space, they cause the body to have an inflammatory reaction to them.”
Trent Ford, the state climatologist in Illinois, said the atmospheric conditions in the upper Midwest creating dry, warm weather made it possible for small particulates to travel hundreds of miles from the Canadian wildfires and linger for days.
“It’s a good example of how complex the climate system is but also how connected it is,” Ford said.
WHO SHOULD BE CAREFUL?
Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect the lungs and heart.
The air quality alerts caution “sensitive groups,” a big category that includes children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Kids, who often are encouraged to go out and play, “are more susceptible to smoke for a number of reasons,” said Laura Kate Bender, the lung association's National Assistant Vice President, healthy air. “Their lungs are still developing, they breathe in more air per unit of body weight.”
WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR NOW?
It's a good time to put off that yard work and outdoor exercise. If you go out, consider wearing an N95 mask to reduce your exposure to pollutants.
Stay inside, keeping your doors, windows and fireplaces shut. It's recommended that you run the air conditioning on a recirculation setting.
“If you have filters on your home HVAC system, you should make sure they’re up to date and high quality,” Hill said. “Some people, particularly those with underlying lung disease, or heart disease, should consider investing in in air purifiers for their homes.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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