Michigan Residents Advised to Stay Indoors as Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Approaches
As a cold front sweeps through, Michigan braces for a temporary influx of smoke from Canadian wildfires. The state’s Air Quality Division has alerted sensitive groups to take necessary precautions, including remaining indoors with closed windows and refraining from outdoor activities.
The smoke brings with it particulate matter, a health concern for certain individuals such as those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, children, outdoor workers, pregnant women, and seniors over 60. For more information on particulate matter, visit the ATSDR guidance.
Even those in good health might want to avoid intense exercise during this period since increased breathing rates can lead to greater inhalation of these particles.
Stephanie Hengesbach, a meteorology expert with the Air Quality Division, noted, “We are expecting the plume to be pushed south early on Saturday, so our air quality advisory actually expires at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. So by that time we are expecting the levels in the Unhealthy Sensitive Groups range to be pushed out of our state and levels will be improving.”
Unlike the extensive smoke events experienced during the summer of 2023, when air quality levels reached hazardous conditions for everyone, this incident is expected to be brief and less severe. During those past events, staying indoors and using air conditioning in recirculation mode was strongly recommended.
To stay informed about air quality levels, residents can download the AirNow app by the U.S. EPA. The app provides notifications when the air quality index reaches levels categorized as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, or Hazardous.
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