BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Air quality continues to be a concern in Northeast Wisconsin and across the state. Smoke from the Canadian wildfires led to hazy conditions and some of the worst air quality, in about 20 years.
From Lambeau Cam to the Leo Frigo bridge, it’s clear to see there is something in the air.
“It’s kind of other worldly to be honest. It was interesting driving from Appleton to Green Bay because it’s hazier here than it is in Appleton,” said Ashley Jenkins from Appleton.
All of Wisconsin is under an air quality advisory, until Thursday, because of the high amount of PM2.5.
PM2.5 are particulate matter or tiny particle pollution, in the air, that are harmful to your health.
According to Katie Praedel, Air Monitoring Section Chief with the WI DNR, “I don’t think WI has ever experienced this magnitude of impact from Canadian wildfires for this sustained amount of time.”
The federal Clean Air Act amendments of the 1990’s requires air quality be monitored at all times. The DNR has dozens of sensors across the state, including the Green Bay one on the roof of East High School. Another temporary sensor is monitoring air conditions at the DNR office too.
“Right now the real reading, the PM 2.5 reading is a 191.7, so it’s pretty high up there right now. So this would be in the AQI range, whenever you see the colors on the map, this would equate to the red to borderline purple so you’re getting into almost the very unhealthy range,” says Ben Evans. He’s the Air Monitoring Field Operations Coordinator with the DNR.
The high reading of pollutants in the air isn’t just dangerous for those who already suffer from heart and lung issues, it should be a concern for everyone.
Katie Praedel adds, “We’re suggesting everybody keep outdoor activities light and short and to go indoors if you have respiratory symptoms”
It’s a warning people seem to be following as pools and parks in the area aren’t as busy as they usually are on hot summer days. And people who are outside are taking it easy too.
While this long stretch of air quality advisory days, at a high level of pollutants, may be unusual for our region, the hope is as the air mass moves east before the end of the week.
But until then, people are encouraged to track their health to avoid any long-term issues.
“Exerting yourself a lot in the outdoors, over the next few days, is not advised people will most likely experience health effects as result if they make that decision so that’s why we’re recommending this today so people don’t experience those kind of exposure driven respiratory ailments,” says Praedel.
