Canadian wildfire smoke could return across Michigan Sunday

Smoke blown in from Canadian wildfires is expected to create unhealthy air quality conditions for Michigan residents this weekend.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services warned residents of the United States Air Quality Index forecast Friday.
“The Air Quality Index for Saturday is predicted to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (Air Quality Index orange) with some areas reaching unhealthy for all individuals (Air Quality Index red) in the western and central areas of the Upper Peninsula Saturday,” MDHHS wrote in a Friday press release.
“It is possible these levels may move south to the rest of the state Sunday.”
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Friday issued an “Air Quality Action Day” for Saturday in those areas of the U.P.
MDHHS provided guidance on how to best protect against unhealthy air on a new website. Information on the health effects of wildfire smoke, how to sign up for air quality alerts and how to reduce risk based on the Air Quality Index is available on the site.
“We want Michigan families to know how to best take precautions to protect their health safety during air quality events,” Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, said in the Friday release.
“Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to affect air quality across the state. We are urging Michiganders to check the Air Quality Index regularly to decide if they should be participating in outdoor activities and using the website to help determine what actions they should take to keep themselves and their families safe.”
The Air Quality Index is a color-coded way for residents to see what the levels of some types of air pollution are in their area. The higher the AQI, the worse the air quality is and the more cause for concern. Live color-coded air quality conditions that indicate if air quality is healthy (green) or unhealthy (yellow, orange, red and purple), along with steps to protect your health, can be found on the AirNow website and mobile app.
MDHHS also set up a hotline for Michigan residents to ask “health-related questions related to air quality issues.” The number is 800-648-6942, and is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
“Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and small (or fine) particles that can harm your health if you breathe it,” MDHHS wrote on its website. “Everyone should avoid breathing wildfire smoke, and some people are more sensitive to it because of their age or pre-existing health conditions.”
Adults aged 65 and older, pregnant people, children and people with lung and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke. Symptoms from breathing in particle pollution can include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
“The most protective option when air is unhealthy is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce strenuous activities and limit outdoor activities,” MDHHS wrote. “If you must be outside, N95 masks offer enhanced protection when used according to product instructions.”
Surgical and cloth masks will not stop you from breathing in the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke, according to MDHHS.
Additionally, residents should reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices, according to the National Weather Service in an Air Quality Alert issued Friday.
“Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible and reduce refueling your vehicle,” the NWS said. “Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filter.”