MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Smoke from Canadian wildfires has led to some of the worst air quality in the world in Upper Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the National Weather Service are tracking the air quality across the U.P.
It shows a primary pollutant rate above 900, which is considered hazardous — the threshold for hazardous air is 300. Many events, including Marquette’s Music on Third and farmers’ markets, have been canceled for Wednesday. The National Weather Service says the smoke is worse this year because the wildfires are large and much closer to upper Michigan.
“The wildfires are so large that they’re putting so much material into the atmosphere, and that’s why the smoke is very dense up here; it’s why we’re seeing visibility reduction. It’s why occasionally folks are seeing ash actually fall from the sky; it’s resulting in some very poor air quality across the region,” NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Joe Phillips said.
Doctor Rebecca Ulep is with Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. She shares who is most at risk for adverse effects from the smoke.
“If you have asthma or COPD or pulmonary fibrosis, then your risk is higher, certainly children, those less than 18 years of age, and those who are older, so greater than 65 years of age, they’re more at risk, pregnant women are more at risk, and then outdoor workers are more at risk,” Dr. Ulep said.
Dr. Ulep also shares tips for keeping smoke out of your home and vehicles.
“Really try to limit your time outdoors, stay indoors as much as you can, if you’re traveling in your car and it has air conditioning try to set it to recirculate, keep the vents closed, and that will help prevent drawing that smoky air inside and that will really help, and the same with your home actually, if you have an air conditioner, try to set it on recirculate inside your home and that will help,” Dr. Ulep said.
Dr. Ulep also said cloth masks aren’t likely to be as effective as an N95 mask because the particulates in the air are small enough to pass through cloth masks.
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