Smell That? Smoke From Minnesota Wildfires Reaches Deerfield

Smoke from a wildfire in northern Minnesota reached Lake County on Tuesday, causing the National Weather Service to issue an advisory. The blaze that originally sparked on Aug. 18 by a lightning strike near Ely is more than 500 miles away from Deerfield.   

According to the National Weather Service, the smoke moved into Northern Illinois Tuesday afternoon due to "northerly winds behind a cold front" and is expected to last through the night. 

Residents should expect hazy skies and a distinct burning odor, which is already apparent around town.  

The Lake County Health Department is warning children, the elderly and those susceptible to respiratory and cardiac problems to be careful when spending time outside 

"We are monitoring the particulate matter (PM2.5) on the various air quality Web sites such as the USEPA AirNow.gov," said Mark Pfister, Population Health Services Director for the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center. "Smaller particles such as those from smoke pose the greatest health risk, particularly for individuals with a high sensitivity."