Smoke from Canadian wildfires triggers health concerns
Southern Wisconsin is currently facing some of the worst air quality in the United States, especially on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, due to the persistent influx of smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Counties such as Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Ozaukee reported “unhealthy” air quality levels in the afternoon, according to EPA’s AirNow system.
Air quality index spikes in major cities
By 2:00 p.m., the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Harrington Beach State Park in Ozaukee County surged to 163, firmly within the unhealthy category. For reference, any reading above 150 is considered a public health risk, especially for sensitive groups.
Milwaukee wasn’t far behind at 156, and Madison saw its peak at 171 around 8:00 a.m. Earlier in the day, the worst national AQI reading was logged in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, with a peak of 175 at noon.
Local residents feel the strain
Katie Kreutzmann, a Milwaukee resident living with asthma, described the situation as “gross,” highlighting visibility issues and difficulty breathing as early indicators. She noted a distinct change by Tuesday, when the skyline became hazy and breathing felt labored.
Another resident, Curley Harris, expressed frustration, linking these repeated smoke incidents to climate change. “If it’s constantly every year, something’s wrong with the climate,” he said. “We need to fix that first.”
Advisories expanded across 39 counties
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an advisory for fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) covering 39 counties, mostly in eastern and southern Wisconsin. The alert remains in effect from noon Wednesday through noon Thursday.
Health officials recommend that people with respiratory or cardiac conditions, as well as older adults and children, move indoor any physical activity. For the general population, reducing outdoor exposure and minimizing physical exertion is encouraged, especially in the vicinity of Lake Michigan, where conditions are expected to remain most severe.
Improvement reported in northwest Wisconsin
While the eastern portion of the state continues to deal with intense haze, northwestern Wisconsin is experiencing gradual air quality improvement. However, areas near Green Bay and along the Lake Michigan shoreline are forecasted to remain under unhealthy air conditions through Thursday midday.
Visual impact felt across major landmarks
The dense smoke has also affected visibility in urban landmarks, including the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, where views across Lake Monona appeared heavily shaded and diffused under the smoky sky.
