Canadian wildfire smoke is drifting into Michigan, prompting state officials to issue a statewide air quality alert through at least Thursday and possibly longer.
Residents across the state are already noticing the effects.
The smell of smoke and a hazy sky were noticeable across the Detroit area Wednesday (July 15), with conditions expected to worsen after sunset.
“You can smell it; you can taste it. It’s just so hot and muggy,” said Joshua Williams, a concerned resident.
The smoke is currently hitting the Upper Peninsula hardest, but the haze is slowly making its way south toward Detroit.
State officials say the alert, in effect for Wednesday and Thursday, could be extended if wildfires in Canada do not slow down.
“All of us here in the region are being impacted by this smoke,” said Alec Kownacki, a meteorologist with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE.
Wayne County leads state in air quality monitoring
Wayne County was the first in Michigan to deploy air quality monitors, placing sensors in 43 communities that serve approximately 1.7 million people.
“Right now, we are yellow, and so that means the air quality it’s not bad, but it’s getting to that next level, which is orange,” said Kennyle Johnson, director of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services.
That monitoring data feeds into a public database, allowing residents to check conditions in real time and adjust their plans accordingly.
“I received notifications that those barbecues and family functions are being moved from outdoors to indoors,” Johnson said.
For some residents, the concern goes beyond simple discomfort.
“It’s not good for the babies. On top of everything else that’s going on, like the parasites in our food. It’s just too much,” said Asia Newson, a worried mother.
According to the state’s website, Michigan has seen unprecedented levels of wildfire smoke in recent years.
Officials are encouraging residents to monitor air quality updates and limit outdoor activity as conditions evolve.
Previous coverage