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

From Cook County, MN - June 12, 2026

By: Andrea Tofte, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and Avi Sukhwal, Public Health Supervisor 

Summer on the North Shore brings long days, outdoor adventures, and time spent enjoying our forests, lakes, and trails. It also brings seasonal risks that every resident and visitor should be prepared for, including wildfires, poor air quality, and tickborne diseases. Understanding when evacuation may be necessary due to wildfire, knowing how to protect yourself during poor air quality events, and taking steps to prevent tickborne diseases. As our summers increasingly record higher temperatures and prolonged dry spells during fire season, these risks are becoming more commonplace. It is up to each of us to know how to respond so we can help keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safer.

The risk of a wildfire in our area is high during the summer months, and we have already seen numerous nearby fires. Having a household evacuation plan is a smart way to be prepared. You can always sign up for Code Red through the Cook County Sheriff's Office to get local emergency alerts—including evacuation notices. You can also monitor emergency situations through reliable local news sources, including WTIP radio updates. Make sure that you have a Go Bag ready and determine a potential meeting point out of the area to reconvene with household members if an evacuation is necessary. In the case of an actual evacuation, you would receive a physical notice to evacuate, issued by the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The Cook County website also provides information on how to communicate your evacuation plans and status to emergency responders: cookcountymn.gov/emergencypreparedness.

Over the past few years, we have experienced periods of poor air quality due to smoke from near and far away wildfires. You can sign up to receive air quality alerts at airnow.gov to learn when air quality reaches levels that may negatively affect health. Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles that can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. While poor air quality affects everyone, some people are at greater risk, including infants, young children, people living with lung or heart disease, adults age 65 and older, people who smoke, and those who work outdoors. Consider limiting strenuous outdoor activities on days when air quality is poor. Creating a cleaner indoor environment by keeping windows and doors closed and using a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency furnace filter can help reduce exposure. You may also choose to wear an N95 mask outdoors to help reduce the health impacts of wildfire smoke.

Ticks are active as soon as the temperatures rise above freezing and the snow cover disappears. When ticks are out, there is a risk from getting sick from tick bites. Tick-related illnesses such as Lyme Disease have become more common in recent years as ticks live in more places and are active for longer amounts of time. To protect yourself, treat 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. Check yourself for ticks every day after you come inside. If you find a tick, remove it right away by its head, pulling it outward slowly, gently, and steadily. After removing the tick, clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Not all ticks carry disease, but if an infection occurs, symptoms often appear within the first month after a bite. Common signs of Lyme disease include flu-like symptoms and a rash that may resemble a red ring. If you think you may have a tickborne illness, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

Learn more about summer public health emergency preparedness at the June 16 PHHS Board Meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the Cook County Commissioners Room at the Cook County Courthouse. The meeting will be available by livestream, and a recording will be posted later on the Cook County website at www.cookcountymn.gov. 

For additional information about Cook County PHHS programs and services, 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 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.