Air Quality Alert Issued for Parts of Michigan Due to Incoming Canadian Wildfire Smoke

If you have noticed the current weather with the sky a tougher one to peer through or developed a slight chest congestion, this is the real situation. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced an Air Quality Advisory due to soaring levels of fine particulate pollutants (PM2.5) traveling across the state. The origin of these pollutants was smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Blazes consuming Manitoba and Saskatchewan have produced an enormous cloud of smoke that has been moving southeast, directly over to Michigan. By the time this morning came, the smoke was already covering northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. And, due to the strong winds of the upper levels of the atmosphere worked out from the north, it is likely to get to the lower part of Michigan today further on.

The advisory declares the air quality level to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) – This is known as the orange category of the Air Quality Index. According to this, everyone should stay indoors most of the time if they have heart, lung problems, asthma, or are children, elderly, and pregnant women. Also, these people need to restrict their outdoor activity to a minimum. Guests that need a host’s reply to whether they are in a healthy condition or not have to be even more careful.

Could you please, explain me then, what PM2.5 means? PM2.5 stands for particulate matter of the size 2.5 microns or less – this size is over 30 times smaller than a very thin human hair. These tiny particles are usually mixed with smoke and soot and can get into the lungs and cause or worsen any respiratory problem.

EGLE specifically targets sensitive residents with the following signs:

• Coughing
  Wheezing
  Chest tightness
  Shortness of breath
  Dizziness
  Burning sensations in the nose, throat, or eyes

The present warning has been extended to 6 a.m. on Saturday; however, officials warned that an extended period of smog in the area is still possible. And indeed it might, as meteorologists say the sludge of smoke will probably remain near Michigan through the weekend. The smoke could also be drifted back to the area once the wind changes to westerly.

If you are in Michigan and belong to a sensitive group or just to be on the safe side – it is advisable to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and use air conditioning on recirculation mode if possible.