Michigan Air Quality Could Hit Unhealthy Levels As Wildfire Smoke Moves In

Michigan residents should be prepared for horrible air quality, as wildfires are brewing to the north-northwest from Minnesota and Canada, and there is an increased risk of surface smoke that could impact our air quality and visibility.

By Wednesday morning at 11 AM, much of the Upper Peninsula and part of the Lower Peninsula could be affected by wildfire smoke, along with parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, and Canada.

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It’s already been bad enough with the heat index sitting at over 100°, but now it's mixed with wildfire smoke.

Those with respiratory issues will be struggling to work through the humidity and the air quality, which, because of the surface smoke, tips just past the unhealthy mark, as WXYZ meteorologist Mike Taylor reveals on his Facebook:

Not Again! Wildfires burning to our northwest are increasing the chance that smoke drifts back into the Great Lakes over the next couple of days. If enough of that smoke reaches the surface, it could lead to reduced visibility and poorer air quality, especially for those with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the latest smoke projections and let you know if air quality alerts become necessary. Stay tuned.

One person in the comment section said what we're all thinking:

I’m so tired of being stuck all summer indoors. If it’s not the unbearable muggy heat, it’s the wildfire smoke making the air smell like burnt chemicals.

Make sure that if you do have to be outside and you're sensitive to air quality conditions, you protect yourself as best as you can and limit your time outside.