Milwaukee is experiencing its worst air quality on record, driven by smoke from wildfires in Minnesota and Ontario.
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The smoke has prompted several municipalities to announce program cancellations and suspend outdoor work activities. Several events have also been canceled or postponed.
Our digital team has compiled the latest updates and will update this live blog throughout the day. The newest updates are at the top.
Latest updates
3:17 p.m. — The Milwaukee Brewers' Friday night game against the Miami Marlins will be played as scheduled amid air quality concerns. First pitch is slated for 6:40 p.m.
2:50 p.m. — The Strokes performance at American Family Insurance Amphitheater will go ahead as planned. Gates open at 5 p.m.
11:36 a.m.— The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works continues suspension of most non-emergency services on Friday.
11:03 a.m.— City of Milwaukee Health Department closes clinics due to poor air quality
The Zeidler Municipal Building will remain open for essential operations, including birth and death certificate services.
11:02 a.m. —Brewers provide status update on air quality
The Brewers are preparing to play tonight’s game against the Marlins as scheduled but are in communication with Major League Baseball, and the league will ultimately determine the status of the game.
Any official update will come later in the day. There will be an option for fans who prefer to exchange their tickets for tonight’s game for another 2026 regular-season home game. Fans can go to brewers.com/GameUpdates for more information.
10:21 a.m. — The air quality alert has been extended through 6 p.m.
8:19 a.m. — The City of Waukesha announces some program changes due to air quality:
- All outdoor programs with a start time before 1:00 p.m. are canceled.
- Morning swim lessons are canceled.
Programs continuing as scheduled:
- Day camp sites will remain open. Staff will modify activities as needed and keep participants indoors when air quality conditions warrant.
Tentative for this afternoon and evening:
- We will re-evaluate air quality conditions around noon to determine whether:
- Outdoor programs scheduled after 1:00 p.m. can proceed.
- The outdoor pools can open at approximately 2:00 p.m.
- Evening swim lessons will be held.
- Evening sports games can be played.
6:40 a.m. —- MKE FreshAir Collective to offer free KN95 masks, other community resources
The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the 3500 block of N Richards Street, where the Beerline Trail crosses Richards St. Next to Kuumba Juice & Coffee.
6:53 p.m. — Sebastian Bach has canceled his Waukesha County Fair performance for tonight due to air quality index concerns. Elite VIP and VIP ticket holders for the concert will be contacted via email for further instructions.
4:35 p.m. — All Milwaukee Recreation programs are canceled and closed the evening of Thursday, July 16, and all day Friday, July 17. For general questions, contact Milwaukee Recreation at 414-475-8180.
4:30 p.m. — MPS closes Summer Academy and all MKE Rec sites Friday due to the dense smoke advisory
Closure Summary and Key Details
- Summer Academy & Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO): All sites are completely closed. No classes, indoor activities, or outdoor activities will take place.
- Milwaukee Recreation (MKE REC): All MKE REC sites are closed. This includes all splash pads and wading pools, which will not be open.
- Summer Meals: Meals will not be available at MPS schools or MKE REC sites on Friday, July 17.
- The district expects to resume normal operations on Monday, July 20.
- District officials do not expect Friday's closure to further extend the Summer Academy session, which is scheduled to end on Friday, July 31.
12:19 p.m. — Nine more Wisconsin DNR staffers have been deployed to Minnesota.
11:07 a.m. — City of Milwaukee officials announce they will provide an update at noon on current air quality conditions, health impacts.
11:01 a.m. — The South Milwaukee Farmers Market has been canceled for this week.
10:45 a.m. — City of Milwaukee suspends some services due to air quality
The Department of Public Works is suspending non-emergency field operations, and only emergency outdoor work will be performed until conditions improve, due to guidance from the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD).
MHD is evaluating clinic operations throughout the day and may temporarily modify or suspend services at some locations as conditions warrant.
- Employees who are able to work remotely have been directed to do so, while essential staff will continue to provide critical public health services.
- Garbage and recycling collection services are suspended until further notice, and City of Milwaukee Drop Off Centers are closed.
- The City Tow Lot will close at 1:00 p.m. today. Residents are encouraged to call 414-286-2700 before visiting, as some questions or issues may be resolved over the phone.
- City officials will continue to monitor air quality conditions and determine when it is safe to resume normal operations.
10:26 a.m. — Wisconsin DNR assisting with wildfire in Minnesota
The Wisconsin DNR confirmed that it has four staff members assigned to Incident Management Team positions assisting with ongoing incidents in Minnesota.
10:25 a.m. —- City of Sheboygan suspends all outdoor work activities for city staff until conditions improve
- Some duties will still be performed by departments as scheduled, but other duties, especially those performed by City of Sheboygan Department of Public Works, may be suspended until conditions improve.
- Garbage collection will remain as scheduled.
- The recycling center remains open as scheduled.
- There are no expected interruptions to other city departments and services.
10:24 a.m. — Milwaukee County Zoo moves some animals indoors, cancels outdoor experiences
- Some animals will be inside, including apes/primates.
- Outdoor animals will also have indoor access.
- Many outdoor experiences are canceled for today, including all Animals in Action programming.
- All animals are being monitored and observed.
- Animals are viewable inside the Aviary, Big Cats, Apes/Primates, Aquatic & Reptile Center, and Elephant Care Center.
9:42 a.m. — The Holton Street Bridge reopening event has been canceled. It will still be open to the public as scheduled.
9:21 a.m. — The location for the Walk for Wellness has changed and will now be held indoors.
It is now at Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St., Milwaukee, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
9:20 a.m. — Wisconsin DNR extends the air quality alert until noon on Friday.
8:52 a.m. — Milwaukee Police Association encourages members to use a face covering or wear a mask due to the unhealthy air quality.
8:37 a.m. — Shoreline Metro announces that customers can ride free through Saturday, July 18, due to the unhealthy air quality.
If you have any questions, call (920) 459-3281.
8:30 a.m. — The outdoor pool deck, including the Poolside Bistro at Life Time Brookfield, will be temporarily unavailable.
Summer camp drop-off and pick-up will also be inside. The restaurant plans to resume regular operations once conditions have reached a safe level.
8:03 a.m. — City of Waukesha modifies the following programs:
- All PRF outdoor programs and activities have been canceled.
- All morning and evening athletics programs have been canceled.
- Both pools are closed, and all swim lessons have been canceled.
- Youth Appreciation Night at William R. Oliver Ballpark has been canceled.
- The Waukesha Civic Band Concert has been canceled.
- Day camps at Banting, Schuetze, E.B. Shurts and Rivers Crossing will remain open; however, they will be kept indoors for the day.
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