Wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada have caused hazardous air quality in Wisconsin, with the entire state under an Air Quality Advisory for fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke until noon on Friday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Air Quality Index Reaches Record Levels

The Air Quality Index rose above 800 in areas near Superior, while parts of eastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee and Kenosha, measured above 650. National Weather Service meteorologist Benjamin Sheppard stated that these levels are some of the worst on record.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, residents can protect themselves by setting up a portable air cleaner or filter in a room that can be closed off from outside air and setting their air conditioner to recirculate mode if possible or closing the outdoor intake damper.

Health Risks Associated with Wildfire Smoke

Dr. Joan Schiller, a member of Healthy Climate Wisconsin and retired medical oncologist, warned that fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can enter the bloodstream and exacerbate lung conditions, such as COPD or asthma.

The Environmental Protection Agency monitors the air around the country and compiles an air quality index, or AQI. The index rates how clean or polluted the air is each day, with higher numbers indicating worse air quality.

Residents can check the current air quality index and forecast for their area on AirNow.gov, which updates every hour and shows a real-time map of the air quality across the country.

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.