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SMOKE FROM NORTHEAST MINNESOTA WILDFIRE INVADING WISCONSIN

NORTHWEST WINDS IN THE WAKE OF A STRONG COLD FRONT HAVE BROUGHT SMOKE FROM THE PAGAMI CREEK WILDFIRE INTO WISCONSIN. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SMOKE AND EVEN SOME ASH IN THE NORTHWOODS REGION.

EARLIER THIS MORNING...THE VISIBILITY DROPPED
TO ONE AND A HALF MILES AT RHINELANDER DUE TO THE SMOKE. ALTHOUGH VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS WERE NOT AS PRONOUNCED AT OTHER LOCATIONS...

THE SCENT OF SMOKE WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION INCLUDING THE WOOD COUNTY AREA AND SOME CALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AT THE DISPATCH CENTER ASKING ABOUT THIS CONDITION.

SOME RESIDENTS OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN HAVE REPORTED DIFFICULTY WITH BREATHING...IRRITATED EYES AND HEADACHES AS A RESULT OF THE SMOKE.

AIR QUALITY WILL LIKELY REMAIN UNHEALTHY AT TIMES IN PARTS OF NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. CHILDREN...ELDERLY PEOPLE...INDIVIDUALS WITH RESPIRATORY AND
CARDIAC PROBLEMS...OR ANYONE ENGAGED IN STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME...SHOULD USE CAUTION.