Superior, Wisconsin – Wildfire smoke from Canada is set to push unhealthy air into northwest Wisconsin, impacting communities from Superior to Ashland and Bayfield beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday and persisting through at least Friday morning.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, fine particle pollution (PM2.5) will reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” and “Unhealthy” levels across counties including Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, and Price. Air quality advisories stretch from Duluth/Superior eastward and southward, with the smoke plume expected to hit the Eau Claire-to-Rhinelander region by midnight Thursday.
Residents in affected areas—especially those with asthma, heart disease, or other sensitivities—should limit outdoor activity and stay indoors if symptoms occur. The DNR urges everyone to shorten and lighten outdoor tasks, while sensitive groups should move activities inside and keep medication close.
Smoke impacts could linger into the weekend as southerly winds shift. The DNR plans to update advisories Thursday afternoon as models evolve, and new alerts may extend toward Green Bay and southern Wisconsin.
Stay updated at Wisconsin Air Quality as further advisories remain likely.
