Wildfire smoke impacts local air quality

WOOD COUNTY – Larger and more frequent wildfires are a growing public health concern, as wildfire smoke from larger fires can travel and impact air quality hundreds or even thousands of miles away and cause a wide range of health impacts based on a person’s sensitivity to pollutants and the amount of pollutants in the air. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main pollutant of concern from wildfire smoke. The DNR’s Air Management Program and tribal partners monitor PM2.5 concentrations year-round at 18 sites across Wisconsin.
The particles from wildfire smoke can cause a variety of symptoms, from mild eye and throat irritation to more severe heart and lung concerns. These particles, called PM2.5, are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, which can affect the heart and lung functions. This can be especially dangerous for children, the elderly, pregnant women and people who have heart or respiratory conditions. People in these sensitive groups should consider limiting outdoor activities and avoiding heavy exertion when the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 reaches the orange “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” level. Symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath are signs to take a break or go inside, away from the pollutants.
Stay updated on air quality with near-real time updates at https://airquality.wi.gov/.

Protect yourself

The best way to prevent breathing particles from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors.

• Close windows and doors.
• Run A/C on recirculate with a new high-efficiency filter.
• Keep indoor air clean by:
• Avoiding activities that increase indoor air pollution, such as vacuuming, burning candles, frying foods or using gas appliances.
• Reducing airborne dust by using a damp cloth to dust the home and trap the particles rather than a dry cloth or duster that might make them airborne again.
• Use an indoor air purifier.
• Cancel outdoor events or move them indoors, especially for children.
• Create a DIY temporary air filter.