A thick layer of smoke from ongoing wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota has enveloped much of Michigan — including in Metro Detroit, which currently has the worst air quality in the world, according to air quality tracker IQAir.
An air quality alert remains in effect for all of Michigan on Thursday and is likely to continue through Friday due to the persistent smoke, which is causing hazardous conditions for all, not just vulnerable groups.
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The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is recommending limiting outdoor time, making sure to keep windows closed and, if possible, running central air conditioning with 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 Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, in response to the fires. “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.”
Michigan has seen unprecedented levels of wildfire smoke drifting across its communities in recent years as warming temperatures and more frequent drought increased Canada’s wildfire risk.
The Canadian government is reporting more than 850 active wildfires across the country as of Thursday morning, 113 of which are listed as “out of control.”
Fire danger this month is expected to remain the highest across Canada’s Northwest Territories, Nunavut and northern Manitoba and areas surrounding the Hudson Bay, with elevated potential for fires in northern Ontario and Quebec.
The Canadian government says it is working closely with provinces, territories, and First Nations communities to support fire response and recovery efforts.
View the latest information about air quality in Michigan here.