SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- Wildfire smoke from Canada has wafted its way back to Michigan, making for some hazy skies in Metro Detroit.
An Air Quality Alert has been issued for the entire state of Michigan, in effect for Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke.
According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range in the south to Unhealthy in the north. Hourly concentrations may reach Very Unhealthy to Hazardous at times, especially Up North.
EGLE recommends, whenever possible, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities — especially for those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma.
Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes.
Michiganders can do their part to help reduce air pollution by limiting outdoor burning and use of residential wood burning devices.
At home, it's a good idea to keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.
“We want Michigan families to know how to best take precautions to protect their health and safety during air quality events,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive. “Wildfire smoke is expected to affect air quality this week, starting in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. We are urging Michiganders to check the Air Quality Index regularly to decide if they should be participating in outdoor activities and using the website to help determine what actions they should take to keep themselves and their families safe.”
For up to date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: https://michigan.gov/MiAir.
Meanwhile, not helping matters, it's going to stay pretty hot.
The National Weather Service has extended the
Heat Advisory until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, with temps feeling like 102 degrees with the high humidity.
"Unfortunately, this is just going to be a miserable day from start to finish," said WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Joe Lundberg.
Lundberg said, on Wednesday, the high humidity could worsen issues for people with asthma, making it difficult to breath.
Lundberg said Thursday may feel a bit better. It'll stay hot, he said, but will be less humid, with a high of 91 degrees.
Friday, however, will be hotter and humid again. Check the 10-day AccuWeather forecast at this link.
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