The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued their ninth air quality alert of the season on Wednesday as Canadian wildfires continue to move over parts of the state and Metro Detroit.
The advisory expires on Friday at midnight and was prompted by elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5), the department said.
Pollutants across the state are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range Wednesday and Thursday, with some locations reaching the Unhealthy (Red AQI) range.
“Smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday and into parts of the northern Lower Peninsula Wednesday morning with hourly PM2.5 concentrations ranging from USG to Unhealthy,” said Stephanie M. Hengesbach, a meteorology specialist with EGLE’s Air Quality Division, in a statement.
“Models show the plume continuing its southern trek across the state as a cold front moves south into the Ohio River Valley. As the smoke moves in, PM2.5 concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range will expand south, while concentrations of PM2.5 in the Unhealthy range are more likely across northern areas.”
The plume is continuing its southern trek across the state with smoke expected to linger across the region through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
The forecast will be evaluated again Thursday morning to determine if the current statewide air quality advisory will be extended.
The weather service recommends that, when possible, residents avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat and eyes should be monitored.
Additionally, activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning and use of residential wood burning devices should be reduced or eliminated, officials said. Households should keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.