Latest news with #EGLE
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke reduces air quality moving into the weekend
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — We hold on to mostly sunny conditions across Mid-Michigan as we move into our Friday afternoon. But this evening, we will have the chance for rain and some Canadian wildfire smoke moving into the region. While most of the wildfire smoke that moves over our area will remain elevated in the atmosphere, a small amount could make it down to the surface this afternoon and evening, creating some moderate impacts on air quality. As a result, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state, expiring at 6 am Saturday. Lingering wildfire smoke will also create a more vibrant sunset and sunrise across the area before it exits the region on Saturday afternoon. If you suffer from respiratory issues, it is recommended that you limit your time outdoors today through Saturday morning. In addition to the wildfire smoke, we will also add in the chance for a few showers and isolated thunderstorms across Mid-Michigan this evening. Showers will begin around 5 or 6 o'clock and exit overnight. After the chance for rain exits the region, we will have a beautiful forecast for the weekend. Hazy sunshine will be possible on Saturday, with highs in the upper-60s. We will stay dry and mostly sunny on Sunday, with temperatures climbing into the low 70s. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Air quality advisory issued statewide due to Canadian wildfire smoke
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — An air quality advisory has been issued statewide through Saturday morning due to smoke from wildfires in Canada, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said. EGLE said the conditions may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. The city of Grand Rapids is encouraging residents, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. To help prevent smoke from coming indoors, the city recommends keeping windows closed overnight and running central air with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. The smoke is expected to linger in Michigan through the weekend before seeing some improvement early next week. Hazy skies ahead: Wildfire smoke moving into Michigan Friday 'The 2023 Canadian wildfire event emphasized how important communication is when wildfire smoke may impact Michigan's communities,' Annette Switzer, EGLE's Air Quality Division director, said in a release. 'We want to ensure residents are informed and know how to protect themselves and their families.' For more tips on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, visit the . The Air Quality Index can be checked or sent to your inbox by signing up . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why is it so hazy? How fires in Canada will affect Michigan
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. Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan air quality advisory over Canadian wildfires. What to know
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Air quality advisories issued for portions of Michigan because of Canadian wildfire smoke
Drifting smoke from Canadian wildfires has resulted in an air quality advisory for Southeast Michigan, issued late Friday morning through early Saturday morning. Conditions could reach "unhealthy for sensitive groups," the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said in its press release issued Friday, "and there is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the unhealthy range for a short period of time." This is the first such notice for Southeast Michigan in 2025. The National Weather Service in Detroit noted the alert on its maps, and some weather apps have forwarded the NWS announcements that the wildfire smoke will move over Southeast Michigan late this afternoon and evening. The counties in that notice include Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe. "We urge folks to plan accordingly by taking precautions based on the current conditions, air quality advisories and recommendations and forecasts," said John Pepin, Michigan Department of Natural Resources deputy public information officer. "Always play it safe, know before you go and plan ahead." While drifting smoke is not the only contributing factor for the occasional poor air quality announcements in Michigan, it has been a known issue in recent years. "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." What is the difference between an advisory and an alert? An advisory is issued with two or more air quality monitors in a designated area are expected to detect particulate levels that reach or exceed the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" threshold, according to EGLE. A color-coded air quality map will show that status in orange. An alert is issued when two or more air quality monitors in a designated area are expected to reach or exceed the "unhealthy" threshold. A color-coded air quality map will show that status in red, purple or maroon.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Smoke from Canadian wildfires expected to move through Michigan Friday
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue to spread across the skies over much of the Great Lakes and may linger through the weekend. Officials declared a state of emergency for the entire province of Manitoba on Wednesday as out-of-control fires raged over 150,000 acres. NEXT Weather/CBS Detroit The smoke may create air quality issues at times, mainly for sensitive groups. Individuals who are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution include children, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory or cardiovascular problems. Pregnant women and those who work outdoors for extended periods of time may also be more at risk. NEXT Weather/CBS Detroit The CBS News Detroit NEXT Weather team is tracking the chance that the smoke could lower in the atmosphere, resulting in a stronger chance for reduced air quality, following guidance from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and will keep you up to date on any changes in the forecast. NEXT Weather/CBS Detroit EGLE is currently talking with counterparts in Minnesota and Wisconsin to coordinate any advisories and alerts. The plume is expected to hit the western Upper Peninsula first, then make its way towards the central Upper Peninsula, then southward into the Lower Peninsula, with a second plume possible on Saturday. NEXT Weather/CBS Detroit At the least, expect to see the smoke dim the sun, resulting in hazy sunshine, and create colorful sunrises and sunsets. Where smoke is the thickest and reaches the surface, reduced visibilities and a campfire smell may be evident at times.
