KENOSHA, Wis. — Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires prompted the City of Kenosha on Thursday to temporarily shut down several public facilities and cancel events as air quality deteriorated across southeastern Wisconsin. The closures come as state and federal officials warn that unhealthy air conditions could persist into Friday or longer.
The City of Kenosha announced that Anderson Park Pool and Washington Park Pool are closed, along with Washington Park Municipal Golf Course, the Bulk & Recycling Drop-Off Site, and the Compost/Brush Drop-Off Site. Scheduled bulk pickup has also been postponed until air quality improves. In addition, the city’s 11:30 a.m. Peanut Butter & Jam concert was canceled, with a decision on the evening performance expected later Thursday.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an Air Quality Advisory covering Kenosha County, while the National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert as smoke drifting south from hundreds of Canadian wildfires spread across Wisconsin and much of the Midwest. Officials have warned that smoke concentrations may remain elevated beyond Thursday as weather patterns continue to funnel smoke into the region.
Health officials are urging residents—especially children, older adults, people with asthma or other lung diseases, and those with heart disease—to limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous physical activity. Experts also recommend keeping windows closed when possible, using air filtration indoors, and wearing a properly fitted N95 respirator if outdoor activity cannot be avoided.
The smoke event is affecting far more than Wisconsin. Communities across the Midwest and Northeast have reported some of the worst air quality in the world, with widespread alerts issued in more than 20 states. Some cities have opened cooling centers, distributed N95 masks, and canceled outdoor activities as the dense smoke plume spread south from Canada.
Residents can monitor current air quality conditions and forecasts through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which has indicated it will continue updating the advisory as conditions change.
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One Response
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