Today would normally be looked at as a perfect summer day to enjoy the outdoors, but according to National Weather Service forecasters, that won’t be the case. That’s because smoke from Canadian wildfires is hugging the surface, making air quality here some of the worst in the world.
The Wisconsin DNR issued an Air Quality Advisory on Monday morning that will stay in place until noon on Thursday. The concern is for high concentrations of smoke particles so small that 30 of them would fit the cross section of a human hair – small enough to enter the blood stream through the lungs. As a result, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and consider avoiding all physical outdoor activities. And even the healthiest among us should reduce time spent doing heavy exertion.
As of Tuesday morning, National Weather Service forecasters expect the eastern half of Wisconsin to see the most smoke, with the heaviest impact from noon today through noon on Wednesday. The Air Quality Index is already “UNHEALTHY”; it will likely reach “VERY UNHEALTHY” levels at times, meaning even healthy people could suffer. And if, as is possible, the most serious “HAZARDOUS” category is reached, that would be considered a health emergency, and everyone should stay indoors.
For more information on current air quality in Sheboygan and Ozaukee Counties, please click this link
Graphic courtesy of the EPA
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