Minnesota Wildfire Smoke Smothers Southeastern Wisconsin

Eyes stinging? Coughing a lot? The air throughout southeastern Wisconsin is full of smoke and haze today. So where's it coming from? 

Surprise, it’s not even in Wisconsin.

Midwest winds are blowing smoke from Minnesota wildfires across Racine County, producing haze and the strong smell of a burning campfire. And FOX 6 News meterologist Justin Zollitsch posted on Facebook that we can expect the haze and smell to linger through Wednesday.

"Winds stay from the northwest through Wednesday. We'll probably have to deal with the smoke/haze until then, though with some improvments," he wrote.

Still, neither the South Shore Fire nor Caledonia Fire departments have fielded any calls from residents about air quality or for rescue because of respiratory issues.

"You certainly can't ignore the smell," said South Shore Battalion Chief Mark Pierce. "But we haven't gotten any calls yet."

It was the same in Caledonia.

"We haven't gotten a single call," said Carla Buratti, administrative assistant for that village's fire and rescue department.

The Central Racine County Health Department has also not fielded any calls, said Jeff Langlieb, public health nurse.

A resident who was visiting the office, though, asked about the smoke because her husband has asthma.

"I told her to close up her house and turn on the air conditioning until the air quality improves," Langlieb said.

He also advises anyone considered sensitive to take the same precautions they would take during an ozone action day like limiting strenous outdoor activity.

"A cold front moved through last night so today should be crystal clear," Langlieb stated. "There is definite haze out there."

Jennifer Garbo-Shawhan from Wheaton Franciscan also confirmed that neither hospital in Racine, St. Mary's and St. Luke's, has any reports of patients coming to the Emergency Room with breathing complaints related to the smoke.

"We've got nothing," she said. "Hopefully, this will continue to blow over fast enough to not produce any severe reactions."

CBS in Minnesota is reporting that the cold front is pushing the smoke throughout Wisconsin. The Ripon, WI, newspaper is reporting its community is smelling smoke.

Residents and campers in the Boundary Waters are being asked to evacuate the area where the wildfire is, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

The National Weather Service confirms the haze over southern Wisconsin originated in northern Minnesota.