Smoke From Minnesota Fire Could Linger

Smell something burning?

Well, as you've , it's not coming from .

Here's some background, courtesy of our friends at .

The cause of the smoke and burning smell in northern Illinois is a huge forest fire in Minnesota. The smoke is getting into the main airstream and bringing the smoke into our area, according to a National Weather Service special alert.

The forest fire is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Journal Sentinel reported that the northwest winds sent ash and smoke into the area reducing visibility in Wisconsin.

The National Weather Service in Wisconsin said some people reported trouble breathing. The weather service predicted air quality in Wisconsin would remain unhealthy in some parts for days.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement, warning of air-quality issues in Northern Illinois, including DuPage County, due to the "large wild fire over northeast Minnesota."

According to NWS, the smoke traveled more than 400 miles due to a combination of sinking air and northerly winds.

NWS warns the smoke will persist through the afternoon and into the evening hours. The Lake County Illinois Emergency Manager reports that smoke is prevalent enough to cause people to experience difficulty breathing and burning eyes. People with respiratory problems should use caution.

The fire started Aug. 18 with a lightning strike 20 miles from Ely then smoldered for over a week before flaring to life, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette.

The fire has spread to cover 60,000 acres in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Called the Pagami Creek Fire, it has spread so rapidly that residents of a small Minnesota town of Isabella were preparing to evacuate on Tuesday.