Canadian wildfires bring smoke, haziness and respiratory issues for southeastern Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Extreme wildfires in Alberta, Canada have had an impact on southeastern Wisconsin, bringing hazy air, smokey smells and respiratory issues for vulnerable populations.

According to the Canadian government, wildfires in Alberta have burned 150 times more area than in the last five years combined at the same point in the year.

Weather systems have brought the smoke down to Wisconsin and have caused hazy skies, but on Friday, May 19, it's meant smokiness on the ground level.

"A lot of times behind the front we get sustenance where the air will come dropping down so a lot of that smoke, which was aloft, kind of gets pulled down to lower levels and then we can kind of smell it on the surface," Denny VanCleave, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, told CBS 58.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an air quality advisory, warning people with respiratory issues to take caution.

"I have asthma so I'm keeping myself inside a little bit more just to try to prevent those kind of flare ups from happening," respiratory therapist Sarah Bazelak at Froedtert Hospital said in an interview.

Bazelak said people with asthma, COPD and allergies should limit time outside to avoid exposure to smoke particles, which can lead to flare ups of their conditions.

"Run your air conditioner versus having the windows open because you don't want those going into your house and then you're trying to sleep with that," Bazelak said. "Making sure that you stay on top of your maintenance medications is really important.

The NWS said the system is expected to clear out by the start of next week.