Wildfires, smoke and ticks top summer safety concerns

As summer begins, Cook County Public Health and Human Services is reminding residents about seasonal hazards and encouraging them to take steps to stay safe.

This summer, public health officials are urging people to be aware of wildfires, wildfire smoke and ticks.

“Everyone should be prepared for wildfire,” Public Health Educator Andrea Tofte told WTIP. “We live in an area that is densely forested, and so we have the elements out there.”

Tofte said residents should ensure trees are not touching their homes and remove brush, old firewood and other debris that could fuel a fire.

The Arrowhead Region has already experienced forest fires this year. The Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors broke out in May, forcing the closure of Highway 61 for several days and prompting the mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard.

To prepare for potential evacuations, Tofte advised residents to keep a “go bag” ready with medications, identification and other essentials needed for at least 24 hours.

“Sometimes you want to bring blankets, because you know, nights sometimes here get cold,” Tofte said. “So something to keep yourself warm and some kind of device that you can keep yourself informed with updates, in case communications go down.”

Tofte recommended visiting the American Red Cross website for emergency preparedness information.

Wildfires and wildfire smoke have become increasingly common during northern Minnesota summers.

“Air quality has become a routine issue for the county because of Canadian wildfires,” Tofte said. “The way that the air moves through the atmosphere and the current brings that smoke towards Minnesota.”

Tofte encouraged residents to monitor air quality through AirNow.gov. The website provides current conditions and forecasts to help people plan outdoor activities. If air quality deteriorates, people who must be outdoors should consider wearing an N95 mask, while vulnerable individuals should limit outdoor activity when conditions reach unhealthy levels.

Officials are also reminding residents to take precautions against tick-borne diseases. Ticks become active when temperatures rise above freezing and snow cover disappears.

“The warmer the temperature, the more ticks you’re going to have around,” Public Health Supervisor Avi Sukhwal told WTIP.

Sukhwal said ticks are especially common in wooded areas.

“So we have quite a few ticks here,” he said.

Ticks can also pose a threat to dogs that spend time outdoors. Sukhwal recommended flea and tick prevention products as the best way to protect pets.

“Humans also have stuff that we can use to protect ourselves, such as EPA repellents. You can even use DEET to protect yourself. It’s perfectly safe for human usage,” Sukhwal said.

Another recommendation is to place clothing in the dryer before washing it. Ticks can survive a wash cycle, but the dryer’s high heat can kill them.

When removing a tick from a person or pet, Sukhwal said it is important to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward slowly and steadily. Avoid twisting or crushing the tick, which can leave mouthparts embedded in the skin.

“The mechanism that is spreading the disease is still within your tissue, so it’s better to get the whole thing off once you get the tick off the correct way,” Sukhwal said.

After removing a tick, people should clean the bite area with soap and water.

“I do not recommend using a burner or a lighter to get ticks off of your skin,” Sukhwal said. “I’ve seen people do it.”

Sukhwal stressed that not all ticks carry disease, but symptoms of illnesses such as Lyme disease can appear weeks after a bite.

“What you might find is after a month you can develop flu-like symptoms, or you could develop a red ring or bullseye-type rash on your skin where the tick was connected to,” Sukhwal said. “If you develop any of those symptoms, or if you suspect a tick-borne illness, please contact your healthcare provider.”

Sukhwal and Tofte presented information on summertime preparedness to the Cook County Public Health and Human Services Board on June 16.

WTIP spoke with Tofte and Sukhwal for tips and advice on preparing for summer adventures. The audio of that conversation can be found below.

Josh Hinke June 30, 2026