Residents in some Wisconsin counties may be feeling the health effects of an expansive forest fire Wednesday, although the fire itself continues to rage miles away in Minnesota.
The Department of Natural Resources issued a “red” level air quality advisory Wednesday, cautioning residents in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties that even citizens without chronic illnesses would likely experience symptoms.
The original blaze started as a result of lightening in Pagami Creek, about 15 miles from Ely, Minn. DNR Air Monitoring Chief Bart Sponseller said while the fire has not yet been contained, weather conditions in Wisconsin are allowing for air quality to continue improving.
The fire, which began Saturday, has consumed an area of nearly 60,000 sq. acres.
As the prevailing winds have carried the smoke plumes created by the fire into the eastern part of the state, Sponseller said the cumulative effect of particles in the air is considered unhealthy for all individuals.
“[Tuesday], acute symptoms, including wheezing and coughing, were common. [Wednesday], we’ve seen an air quality improvement,” he said. “The impact we’ve been seeing is quite unusual.”
DNR spokesperson Laurel Steffes said the advisory was based on air monitoring units that average data collected for a 24-hour period.
Steffes also said a red level warning is considered rare, with the most recent similar advisory dating back to 2007.
She also emphasized the current poor air quality rating is not a result of local pollution in the state, but rather a direct result of the smoke and particles created by the fire.
Although a statement from the DNR said the advisory was scheduled to end at 11:00 p.m. Wednesday, Steffes said officials are recommending caution of individuals with cardiac or pulmonary diseases and asthma past the expiration.
“We just wanted people to be aware that conditions were such that everyone could be affected,” she said.
Sponseller added these susceptible individuals could continue to feel a range of symptoms for up to 72 hours after the exposure occurred.
He also said while a warning of this severity is uncommon, Wisconsinites have previously felt the effects of forest fires from particularly aggressive blazes in the western states and Canada.
