The Brief
Canadian wildfire smoke continues to impact air quality in Wisconsin.
Surface smoke will make the air unhealthy to breathe in.
The DNR has extended the air quality alert to noon Sunday, Aug. 3.
MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an air quality alert for all of southeast Wisconsin until noon Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
Due to another thick plume of surface wildfire smoke on the way, lower visibility is anticipated at times in addition to poor air quality.
Concentrated levels of smoke near the surface will be unhealthy for sensitive groups but can also reach unhealthy levels for everyone from Saturday night into Sunday.
Sensitive groups include those with respiratory and heart-related health issues, young children, and elderly adults.
Smoke particles in the air are microscopic, so they can easily penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of various cancers and other health problems.
The green color on the map indicated thicker surface smoke expected to move over almost the entire state of Wisconsin Saturday afternoon through Sunday. This will cause thicker haze in the sky and worsening air quality.
Here are some tips and tricks to help keep you and your family safe during this time.
The air quality will be evaluated daily to determine possible hazards, so stay tuned to the FOX6 weather team for updates.
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
What is the FOX Model?
FOX Weather
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
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The Source
Information in this report is from the FOX6 Weather Experts, National Weather Service, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
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