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SE Wisconsin air quality alert extended; when to expect relief

By FOX6 News Digital Team
Published  June 29, 2023 12:59pm CDT
Weather
FOX6 News Milwaukee
article

MILWAUKEE - The southeast Wisconsin air quality alert related to Canada wildfire smoke has been extended to noon Friday, June 30. It was set to expire at noon Thursday.

Air particulates or ozone levels remain elevated and unhealthy for people with respiratory issues. According to the Air Quality Index, conditions vary by county – but Milwaukee and Waukesha counties remain among the least healthy.

Wednesday, for a second day in a row, some of the worst air in the country was in Waukesha County. Officials said a combination of several factors resulted in record-breaking consequences. In Milwaukee County, some outdoor workers said they'd been feeling the effects of worsened air quality.

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"Our monitors are currently observing some of the highest concentrations of particulate air pollutants on record," Katie Praedel, Wisconsin DNR Air Monitoring Section Chief, said of Waukesha County on Wednesday.

The air quality doesn't just affect people. At the Milwaukee County Zoo, staff have been taking action and caution – moving some animals indoors.

Milwaukee air quality impacts zoo animals

Southeast Wisconsin air quality concerns amid Canadian wildfires are sparking conversations and questions many of us have never had to deal with. They even had to make changes at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

FOX6 Weather Extras

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:

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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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