Noticing a haze? Smoke from Canadian wildfires has returned to Michigan this summer

Smoke from wildfires in the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia is seen on June 28, 2023 in Toronto, Canada.
Smoke from wildfires in the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia is seen on June 28, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. Photo credit Photo by Ian Willms/Getty Images

(WWJ) Once again this summer, forecasters say Michiganders are seeing some smoke from Canadian wildfires.

WOOD-TV reported wildfire smoke was visible in West Michigan skies on Tuesday, and that upper-level winds were expected to push Canadian smoke south, staining skies gray the next day. On the ground, WOOD said people in affected areas may notice a faint bonfire smell at ground level.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Beth Fisher spoke with National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Sekelsky, who said we could soon be seeing some of that smoke statewide — making for some hazy summer sunsets.

"Well, we're seeing the winds coming from the northwest, down into the Great Lakes region from those Canadian wildfires. So we're seeing some smoke in the air, filtering sunlight," Sekelsky said.

"There's quite a few fires up there, and they're going to be persisting for at least, I would imagine, a few weeks," he said. "So, it will be in and out of the smoke at times here in Michigan, as a result of those wildfires."

Sekelsky said the smoke may dissipate if there's a big wind shift at times, so the amount of smoke may vary day-to-day.

He said while those smoke is not expected to cause problems for a majority if people, it certainly would not hurt for those with conditions like asthma to take some precautions.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Photo by Ian Willms/Getty Images