Wildfire Smoke To Linger In Detroit Area Amid Brutal Heat Wave

An air quality alert has been extended across the Detroit area due to Canadian wildfire smoke.

The alert, which went into effect Wednesday, has now been extended into Thursday and could linger into the weekend, according to forecasters.

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The wildfires are burning forests in west-central Ontario, releasing an incredible amount of smoke, forecasters said.

Officials expect the pollutants to be in the range of "unhealthy for sensitive groups," with a potential to move into the more serious "unhealthy" range.

Officials said it's a good idea to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma.

The wildfire smoke moves into the Detroit area amid a brutal heat wave with afternoon highs reaching the upper 90s with heat indices well into the 100s.

A heat advisory was in effect for the region through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Highs will stay in the 90s through the rest of the week and into the weekend, before 80-degree weather returns early next week, according to the National Weather Service.