Milwaukee, Wis. – Wildfire smoke continues to impact southeast Wisconsin, prompting officials to extend an Air Quality Advisory until 6 p.m. as unhealthy air lingers across much of the region. While improving conditions are expected from west to east this afternoon, another surge of smoke is expected to arrive late Saturday and continue into Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the advisory remains in effect for eastern Wisconsin, where air quality ranges from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) to Unhealthy for All Groups (Red). Southwest winds are gradually pushing the smoke east, allowing cleaner air to spread into western parts of the state first before reaching lakeshore communities later today.
The poorest air quality remains focused near Milwaukee, Kenosha, Sheboygan and other communities along Lake Michigan, while areas farther west, including Madison and Wisconsin Dells, are seeing improving conditions as the smoke shifts eastward.
Health officials recommend limiting prolonged outdoor activity, especially for children, older adults, pregnant women and anyone with asthma, heart or lung disease. Residents should keep windows closed, use air conditioning or air purifiers if available and postpone strenuous outdoor exercise until air quality improves.
Forecasters warn the improvement will likely be temporary. Another plume of wildfire smoke is expected to move into Wisconsin behind a cold front late Saturday into Sunday, raising the possibility of additional air quality advisories through the weekend. Residents should continue monitoring updates from the National Weather Service, Wisconsin DNR and AirNow for the latest conditions.
