Wildfire Smoke, Unhealthy Air Returns To MI Amid Canadian Wildfires

MICHIGAN — Smoke from wildfires in Eastern Canada will create hazy skies across Michigan, making for some of the worst air quality in the country Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy issued an Air Quality Alert for the entire state of Michigan, which runs through Tuesday at 11 p.m.

A north/northeast wind will blow the wildfire smoke that's already impacting the Upper Peninsula down through Michigan's lower peninsula throughout Tuesday, with the worst air coming during the afternoon hours, according to the weather service.

Forecasters expect pollutants in the air to be in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range, which includes children, elderly adults and those with lung diseases, such as asthma. Forecasters expect conditions to worsen into the "unhealthy" range at times Tuesday, affecting everyone.

Exposure to air pollutants from the wildfire smoke can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing, the weather service said.

Forecasters urged people to limit their time outdoors and keep their windows closed, while running central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. The weather service also urged people to avoid activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning.

Hazy skies are expected to linger into Wednesday morning across Michigan, before southerly winds push the smoke back into Canada, improving conditions during the afternoon hours, according to the weather service.