Why is it so hazy? How fires in Canada will affect Michigan

Yahoo

3 days ago

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is creating unhealthy air quality readings to Michigan, particularly for residents in the western part of the Upper Peninsula on May 30.
"A cold front moving down from Ontario early Friday (May 30) morning will bring wildfire smoke plumes from fires in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan into the region," according to MiAir division, part of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. "As a result, we anticipate PM2.5 levels rising into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range across the western portion of the Upper Peninsula. There is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the Unhealthy (Red AQI) range for a short period of time."
Meteorologists at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have issued air quality advisories for levels of fine particulate in the air statewide May 30 and into Saturday morning, the department said in a release.
'The 2023 Canadian wildfire event emphasized how important communication is when wildfire smoke may impact Michigan's communities,' said Annette Switzer, EGLE's Air Quality Division director, 'We want to ensure residents are informed and know how to protect themselves and their families.'
Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee and Ontonagon counties all previously were under an air quality advisories for Friday, May 30, because of high levels of fine particulate matter (PM).
"The plume(s) of smoke will make the air unhealthy for sensitive groups. This applies to people with heart and lung disease, older adults, children, people with diabetes, and people of a lower socioeconomic status," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.
The Air Quality Index monitor near Negaunee, in Marquette County, was at 86 Friday, May 30, in the moderate range.
As of May 23, wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan prompted numerous closures and evacuations, Natural Resources Canada said. There were 29 uncontrolled, active fires, the Canadian agency said.
In addition to the Upper Peninsula, smoke may move east and south, and impact northern Michigan cities.
"As the boundary moves south, the increase in fine particulate also expands south. At this time, it's uncertain how high fine particulate levels will get across the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula. Current models show that hourly fine particulate concentrations in the USG range are possible further south, but not until late on Friday," MiAir division said.
Smoke high in the sky could be visible in Detroit, AccuWeather said on May 30.
"The major cities where the smoke is most likely to thicken enough to be noticeable will be in Fargo, North Dakota; Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota; Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Chicago; and perhaps as far to the south and east as Detroit and Indianapolis," AccuWeather said.
More: Wildfire smoke can cause health problems, even death
Under clear skies, the smoke will be more obvious.
"Most of these areas in the Midwest will have days where there is little or no rain around and the sun is out over the weekend. So the smoke will be more noticeable," AccuWeather said.
Here's more on the Canadian wildfires affecting Michigan:
Michigan residents can check current conditions through EGLE's MiAir Quality Index Dashboard. The interactive map provides AQI scores for cities across the state.
In addition, residents can use AirNow, apart of the U.S. Air Quality Index, and check local conditions by searching their ZIP Code or city. AccuWeather also has an AQI feature that lists the current pollutants in the air.
The AQI shows the outdoor air quality for public health. It features six color-coded categories, from good (0-50) to hazardous (301 plus).
More: Bad air days easier to identify and quantify with new EGLE air monitoring dashboard
The AQI takes into account five air pollutants:
ground-level ozone
particle pollution (also known as particulate matter, including PM2.5 and PM10)
carbon monoxide
sulfur dioxide
nitrogen dioxide
Here are the ratings in the AQI:
According to Natural Resources Canada, the National Wildland Fire Situation Report says there are 29 uncontrolled fires; 13 being held; 35 controlled; and 13 modified responses.
The priority fires are located in Ontario and Manitoba.
More: It's wildfire season in North America: How to prepare for poor air quality
"In Saskatchewan, there are fire bans and restrictions for central regions north of the provincial forest boundary, extending from the western border to the eastern edge of the province," the Canadian department said.
An advisory is called when two or more (or widespread) monitors are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange air quality index (AQI) threshold.
An alert is called when two or more (or widespread) monitors are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy threshold.
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This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan air quality advisory over Canadian wildfires. What to know