Canadian wildfire smoke over Wisconsin prompts air quality advisory for Thursday

A smoky sunset in Rhinelander Wednesday evening.
Katie Thoresen

The Wisconsin DNR issued an air quality advisory for this afternoon.

The advisory is for 42 counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Saint Croix, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Washburn, Waupaca, Waushara, & Wood.

Wildfire smoke originating from Canada started to move into the state from northwest to southeast around noon.

You can view a map of it here.

Air quality is expected to drop.

Areas further west will have the potential to reach the UNHEALTHY air quality index level, while areas further northeast will have the potential to see lesser impacts within the MODERATE air quality index level.

The DNR says people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

The advisory goes until noon Friday.

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Katie Thoresen is WXPR's News Director/Vice President.