The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an air quality advisory for particle pollution effective tonight to noon Saturday for Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix and Taylor counties.

The index is at orange for the air quality and has been issued because of persistent elevated levels of fine particles in the air. The particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and wood burning.

The orange level index advises those in sensitive groups to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities for the duration. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. People who are at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high particle pollution exposure.

The department also issued an air quality watch for particle pollution effective 12:30 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday. The watch means levels could reach orange during the period.

The watch includes several counties including those in southeast Wisconsin. Among them are Milwaukee, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties.

For additional information go to http://dnr.wi.gov/air/aq/health/status.asp#x78.