COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued a statewide Air Quality Alert as heavy plumes of smoke from over 800 active Canadian wildfires drift southward across the Great Lakes.
Driven by shifting wind patterns behind a mild cold front, the dense smoke is projected to blanket southern Michigan today through at least Thursday.
Officials warn that the influx of fine particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, will create visibly hazy skies and cause air quality index readings to plummet into ranges that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, with the potential to become hazardous for all residents if concentrations intensify.
In response to the deteriorating atmospheric conditions, state health officials urge residents throughout southern Michigan to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities.
People with pre-existing health issues, such as asthma or heart disease, are being told to stay indoors and closely monitor for symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness.
To minimize exposure to the fine air pollution, local authorities recommend keeping residential windows tightly closed and running central air conditioning equipped with high-efficiency MERV-13 or higher air filters.
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