Grace Grinager, Public Health Supervisor (left) and Andrea Tofte, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (right). Photos provided. 

From Cook County, Minnesota - June 14, 2024

By: Andrea Tofte, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Grace Grinager, Public Health Supervisor

Summer on the North Shore is a beautiful and idyllic time of year. Even as we enjoy the long days, we can also prepare for some of the risks of the season. Among them are the potential need to evacuate due to forest fire, caring for one’s health during poor air quality days due to wildfire season, as well as tick-borne diseases. As our climate warms and changes, these risks will become more commonplace and it will be up to each of us to know how to respond to keep ourselves and our loved ones safer.

Wildfire 

While the recent rainfall has lessened the immediate risk of a forest fire in our area, having an idea of what an evacuation plan might look like for your household is a smart way to be prepared. Sign up for Code Red, which is run through the Cook County Sheriff's Office and is a way to get local emergency alerts—including evacuation notices. Monitor for updates on emergency situations through reliable local news outlets. Make sure that you have a “go bag” ready, consider where your meeting point out of the area may be, and ensure that everyone in your household knows how to contact one another in an emergency. In the case of an actual evacuation, you would receive a physical notice to evacuate, issued by the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The County website includes a place for you to notify the County of your evacuation plans.

Air quality

Even smoke from wildfires that are quite far away from Cook County can impact the air quality locally.  Sign up to receive air quality alerts at airnow.gov to stay informed on when the air quality is poor to the point that it negatively affects human health. Wildfire smoke contains very small particulate matter that can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Know that your individual health status will impact how strongly poor air quality will affect your health, and be prepared to act accordingly. Be mindful that certain activities increase the risk of exposure to poor air quality, including outdoor physical activities. Consider limiting how much time you are physically active outdoors on poor air quality days. One way to offer some relief is to close windows and doors to your home and use an air filter to create a clean air environment. You may also opt to wear an N-95 quality mask when outdoors to reduce the impact of poor-quality air on your health.

Ticks

Ticks are active as soon as the temperatures rise above freezing and the snow cover disappears. As soon as there are active ticks, there is the potential for tickborne illnesses such as Lyme Disease to spread. Consider treating clothing and gear that you use often in the outdoors with permethrin, an EPA-approved tick repellent, or using another EPA-registered tick repellent such as DEET. Even if you use some form of tick repellent, check yourself after coming indoors, searching your entire body. If you do find a tick, remove it promptly by its head—pulling it outward slowly, gently, and steadily.  Clean the affected area with soap and water. Not all ticks carry disease, though if you are infected symptoms tend to appear in the first month after a bite. Flu-like symptoms and a rash that looks like a red ring are common symptoms of Lyme Disease. If you think you may have a tickborne illness, contact your doctor immediately.

Learn more about summer public health emergency preparedness at the June 18 PHHS Board Meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the Cook County Commissioners Room in the Cook County Courthouse. The meeting is available to live stream or view a recording on the Cook County website at www.co.cook.mn.us. You can also visit our website at www.cookcountyphhs.org, contact us via email at [email protected], or find us on Facebook @CookCountyPHHS or Instagram @cook_county_phhs to learn more about our work in supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of Cook County Residents.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.