Eau Claire, WI – A red “unhealthy” air quality alert is in effect for Eau Claire, Wausau, and ten other western and central Wisconsin counties through Sunday night. State officials are warning of serious health risks from wildfire smoke, affecting residents in Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Barron, Polk, St. Croix, Pierce, Pepin, Clark, Marathon, Rusk, and Sawyer counties. The alert urges all residents—not just sensitive groups—to limit time outdoors.
Health Risks and Air Quality
The Wisconsin Air Quality Monitoring Program reports that PM2.5 pollution levels are expected to remain high, keeping the air quality in the red zone until midnight Sunday. This could lead to symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath, even among healthy adults in cities like Eau Claire and Wausau, which are the largest in the affected area.
Safety Tips and Precautions
Health officials recommend that residents avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep windows closed, and run air conditioners on recirculate mode. For indoor air quality, certified air filters are suggested. Reduced visibility may also occur on major roads, and local schools or community events could be impacted by the poor air quality.
What to Expect
While air quality conditions may improve by Monday, officials caution that air quality could remain poor if winds shift. The state urges residents to stay informed and limit outdoor exposure until the alert is lifted. Additional advisories are possible if conditions worsen.
