If you looked outside today and thought Milwaukee was covered in fog, you’re not alone.
The gray haze hanging over the city isn’t ordinary fog—it’s smoke from massive wildfires burning across parts of Canada and northern Minnesota. Winds have carried the smoke hundreds of miles into Wisconsin, creating hazy skies, reducing visibility, and leaving a noticeable campfire smell in the air. Air quality alerts have been issued across much of the Midwest as the smoke continues to spread.
Today I stopped by Milwaukee’s beautiful lakefront to capture a few photos of the skyline and Lake Michigan. Normally, the city’s buildings stand out sharply against bright blue skies, but today everything appeared faded behind a thick blanket of smoke. It created an eerie but unforgettable view of our city.
Please Take the Smoke Seriously
Even if you’re healthy, wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat and make it harder to breathe. If you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions, it’s especially important to limit your time outdoors until conditions improve.
A few tips to stay safe:
- Keep windows and doors closed if you can.
- Limit strenuous outdoor activities.
- If you must be outside for an extended period, consider wearing a well-fitting N95 mask.
- Check on elderly family members, young children, and neighbors with health conditions.
- If you begin experiencing difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.
While today’s smoky skies made for some unique photographs along Milwaukee’s lakefront, they also serve as a reminder that wildfires hundreds of miles away can still affect our daily lives here in Wisconsin.
Have you noticed the smell of smoke where you are? Share your photos from around Milwaukee in the comments. I’d love to see how today’s haze looked from your neighborhood.
Stay safe, Milwaukee. đź’™