Wisconsin could see the affects of wildfire smoke throughout the summer as blazes across Canada rage on, subsequently affecting air quality in the U.S.
Most recently, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality advisory for the entire state from June 3 to June 4. But, the state has already surpassed the total air quality advisory totals from wildfire smoke issued in 2024.
Two advisories were issued in 2024 and three have been issued in 2025 thus far, DNR Air Management Outreach Coordinator Craig Czarnecki told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an email.
Czarnecki added that more advisories are “possible throughout the summer.”
“As these wildfires become more frequent, last longer, or burn more intensely, it increases the chances that smoke will impact air quality here in Wisconsin,” he said.
Czarnecki said the department encourages Wisconsinites to “stay informed and take appropriate precautions” when air quality advisories are issued.
Here’s everything you should know about potential effects of these wildfires in Wisconsin:
Where is the Canadian wildfire smoke coming from?
There are more than 200 wildfires burning across Canada as of June 3, with 104 classified as “out of control,” according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
For Wisconsin specifically, the DNR said smoke is coming from wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. These fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres, resulting in the evacuation of at least 17,000 people as of May 30.
Where is Canadian wildfire smoke affecting the U.S.?
The map below shows the locations of wildfires throughout North America and outlines where the smoke from those fires has gone.
Wisconsin is just one of several states affected by the smoke.
How can wildfire smoke affect my health?
Wildfire smoke is a “complex mixture” of pollutants shown to cause a range of health effects, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These effects can be “relatively minor,” like eye irritation, to more serious, including premature death, the agency says.
Moreover, particle pollution can affect the body’s ability to “remove inhaled foreign materials,” like viruses or bacteria, the EPA says.
Short-term exposure — classified by the EPA as a few days — can result in respiratory and cardiovascular effects, such as difficulty breathing, reduced lung function and heart attacks.
A study of wildland fire fighters showed “cumulative short-term exposures” — classified as multiple days to a few weeks — led to reduced lung function, per the EPA.
The agency notes studies have not determined health effects from wildfire smoke inhalation “over multiple seasons.”
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from the smoke, according to the DNR:
What is AQI?
The AQI is the EPA’s index for reporting air quality, according to the EPA’s AirNow website. It’s divided into six categories on a scale of zero to 500, with higher numbers indicating increased air pollution and subsequent health risks.
For specific categories and totals, you can view an AQI table on the AirNow website.
How to check the air quality in Wisconsin:
The DNR has interactive air quality maps, which show the AQI and any active alerts or advisories by county. You can view them on the department’s website.
Wisconsin air quality map:
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Canadian wildfire smoke could affect Wisconsin all summer. Here’s how to track air quality
Reporting by Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
