As wildfires blaze across Canada and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a thick haze has settled over the Midwest, plunging almost the entire state of Wisconsin into unprecedented hazardous air conditions.
Smoke from such fires can lead to respiratory difficulties, eye irritation, and exacerbate existing health issues such as asthma, as noted by the Environmental Protection Agency. Prolonged exposure to the smoke may increase the risk of lung diseases and heart attacks.
According to National Weather Service meteorologists, some of these fires might not be extinguished until the first snowfall. The Wisconsin State Climatology Office suggests that climate change, driven by human activity, is contributing to warmer weather, shorter winters, and consequently, more severe drought conditions that fuel these wildfires in Canada.
With the peak of summer, businesses and organizations across Wisconsin are grappling with the potential for recurring smoke disruptions. WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” spoke to those affected, including businesses in the Apostle Islands region and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Concern in the Apostle Islands
In the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore vicinity, thick smoke forced the cancellation of several outdoor events, according to Sean and Savanna Campbell, who run Northern Lights Adventures Boat Charters and Tours in Bayfield.
Although their business stayed operational and bookings remained steady, Sean expressed concerns over future wildfire smoke potentially impacting their business. “There is a lot of concern,” he noted, adding that several other companies have already canceled tours for safety reasons.
The Campbells provided N95 masks to guests on their boats, but visibility challenges, with views reduced to a few hundred feet, made navigation difficult. Savanna remarked on the unprecedented nature of this year’s smoky conditions, saying, “I’ve lived here all my life … I don’t remember this as a youth, having to consider the wind direction for the smoke forecasts.”
The couple’s work demands extended outdoor exposure, and even with protective gear, Sean felt the smoke’s effects in his throat and eyes. “The back of your throat kind of burns after a while,” he described. “You do get used to the smell, though.”
Care for animal health
At the Milwaukee County Zoo, animal care amid the smoke varies by species, explained Tracy Dolphin, the zoo’s director of Animal Management and Health. “We don’t have a one-size-fits-all for all of our animals,” she told “Wisconsin Today,” highlighting the diverse needs from small reptiles to large elephants.
While some animals could stay outdoors, others, such as primates, were kept inside during poor air quality days. Factors like existing respiratory or heart conditions dictate this decision, as moving some animals indoors could stress them more than leaving them outside.
The zoo maintains a 24/7 staff to monitor animal health, especially for those kept outdoors. Dolphin noted an increase in such conditions over recent years, necessitating preparedness plans for both animal and staff safety.
Zoo staff don masks during smoky conditions, and while outdoor activities were canceled for safety, the zoo remained open, directing visitors to indoor exhibits.
