Warning About 'Unusual Fatigue' Extended for Millions
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Officials in Wisconsin extended an air quality advisory impacting millions through Friday night as smoke pollution reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Breathing in the smoke could worsen preexisting health conditions or cause new issues. People were told to monitor themselves for symptoms such as unusual fatigue, as it could indicate a serious problem, specifically for those with heart conditions.
Why It Matters
Widespread air quality alerts and advisories were issued across the Upper Midwest on Thursday due to dense wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada. The fine particle pollution—PM2.5—reached levels classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (USG) or worse in numerous counties, prompting warnings from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The primary populations at risk include older adults, children, and those with existing heart or respiratory conditions. Officials emphasized that even brief exposure to air pollutants carried in wildfire smoke can lead to exacerbation of underlying medical problems, trigger new symptoms, or prompt emergency medical needs, particularly among vulnerable groups.
A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023.
A person wearing a face mask takes photos of the skyline as smoke from wildfires in Canada cause hazy conditions in New York City on June 7, 2023.
Angela Weiss/Getty
What To Know
The alert took effect at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and will remain in place at least through Friday night at 11 p.m.
Nearly all of Wisconsin is currently under the advisory, except for the southwest part of the state. Dozens of counties in northern, central, and southeastern Wisconsin are affected. The advisory covered both rural and urban areas, including cities such as Milwaukee, Green Bay, and La Crosse.
The DNR and National Weather Service (NWS) urged residents, especially those with asthma, heart disease, or other lung problems, to reschedule or move activities indoors to minimize exposure. Younger children, older adults, and anyone noticing symptoms such as coughing or unusual fatigue were also advised to limit outdoor activity and seek medical attention if necessary.
A Wisconsin DNR spokesperson told Newsweek on Thursday that there have been 11 air quality alerts issued so far this year, nearly triple the number of such alerts issued in 2024, reflecting the increased scope and frequency of wildfire-driven smoke incidents across the Midwest this summer.
However, 14 such alerts were issued in Wisconsin in 2023 as Canadian wildfire smoke descended across the U.S. that year. Prior to 2023, there were zero alerts in 2022, and six alerts in 2021.
Air quality alerts were also issued in Minnesota and Michigan on Friday.
What People Are Saying
The Wisconsin DNR spokesperson told Newsweek: "Wildfires occur frequently in the US and Canada throughout the summer months, so we will continue watching for potential smoke impacts as long as there are active wildfires."
An NWS air quality alert for Wisconsin: "Canadian wildfire smoke has entered northwest Wisconsin Thursday and will continue to move to the southeast through the remainder of the day. On Friday, smoke will begin moving south. Winds will begin turning southerly Friday night into Saturday, at which point the smoke will begin moving back north. It is possible that the advisory will need to be extended into Saturday for some areas of Wisconsin."
What Happens Next
The air quality alert was scheduled to last through Friday night, with the potential for extension or geographic adjustment based on updated data from air monitors and forecast models.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant for updated alerts and to monitor their own health closely, especially individuals in higher-risk categories.
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