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Smoke from wildfires burning in Canada and northern Minnesota is drifting into southeastern Wisconsin, and air quality in the Racine area is expected to remain poor over the next few days.

Wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions, like asthma. If you start experiencing symptoms like coughing, trouble breathing, stinging eyes, or a scratchy throat, head indoors right away. If your symptoms don’t improve, contact your doctor.

Here’s how to protect yourself while the air quality is poor:

Keep track of the air quality index (AQI)

There are simple, free tools you can use to check air quality conditions in Racine:

• Sign up for air quality alerts by email or text from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/AirQuality
• Check airnow.gov and enter your ZIP code to see current conditions, or download the free AirNow app on your phone.
• View real-time readings from air monitors across Wisconsin on the DNR’s air quality map at airquality.wi.gov.

Know if you’re more likely to get sick from poor air quality

Anyone can be affected by wildfire smoke, but some people are at higher risk, including:

• People with heart or lung conditions, like asthma or COPD
• Children and older adults
• People who are pregnant
• People who live, work, or exercise outdoors

If that’s you, or someone you love, it’s even more important to plan ahead and limit time outside on smoky days.

Use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to plan your day

The AQI uses six color-coded categories to show how clean or polluted the air is, who needs to be concerned, and what to do. Check out AirNow’s simple guide to the AQI at airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics to help plan your outdoor activities.

Close the windows and run your air conditioner and/or air purifier

Keep smoky air out of your home by closing windows and doors and running your air conditioner and air purifier, if you have them. If an air purifier isn’t in your budget, you can make your own with a box fan and a furnace filter. The EPA has simple instructions at airnow.gov.

Don’t have air conditioning? Staying inside with the windows closed can be dangerous during hot weather. If your home gets too hot, go somewhere with air conditioning, like the Racine Public Library (75 7th Street), a shopping center, or another air-conditioned public space.

When possible, stay indoors. If you must be outside, lower your risk.

• Wear a mask. An N95 or KN95 mask can help protect you when particle pollution is high. (No mask filters out ozone.) You can find these masks at many local stores and pharmacies, and also online.
• Shorten or modify outdoor activities. Limit your time outside as much as you can, or choose less intense activities, like walking instead of running.
• Exercise away from busy roads. Traffic adds even more pollution to the air. If you exercise outdoors, pick routes away from heavy traffic.
• Reschedule outdoor events when needed. The EPA offers guidance on adjusting or canceling outdoor activities based on the AQI: airnow.gov/air-quality-activity-guides

Information based on resources provided by Public Health Madison & Dane County. Our thanks to them for their ongoing work to protect public health.