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As wildfires grow across Minnesota and into Canada, smoke and ash from those fires are moving their way through Michigan. The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert Wednesday for much of the state, as well as visibility warnings due to the remnants of the wildfires.
WCMU Public Media’s Agriculture & Rural Life Reporter Emma George Griffin was travelling to Charlevoix from Mount Pleasant Wednesday morning when she noticed the hazy sky.
“It was right about in Gaylord when I noticed a drastic change in the sky,” she said. “It was almost like an orangey gray over the sky. It felt apocalyptic.”
The NWS is recommending that people avoid strenuous outdoor activity, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as asthma. They say to watch for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness or burning in the nose, throat and eyes.
"Very fine ash is still falling," said Mike Horace, WCMU's executive producer, who was in Copper Harbor Wednesday afternoon. He added that the ash was worse in Houghton earlier in the day.
“The air has a smoky smell to it,” George-Griffin said. “It's a pretty thick air too … I suffer from asthma and I have been coughing from my drive.”
Smoky summer days have become routine over the past few years as wildfires from dry weather remain a concern for the Great Lakes region. In April, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported concerns about a dangerous wildfire season this year.
“Previous wildfire events emphasized how important communication is when wildfire smoke may impact Michigan’s communities,” said Annette Switzer, Air Quality Division director for Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy in a press release on Tuesday.
“We want to make sure residents stay informed and feel confident about how to protect themselves and their families.”
The NWS recommends keeping windows closed overnight and to "run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters" if possible.
