MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Smoke from Canadian wildfires has led to some of the worst air quality in the world in Upper Michigan. <\/p>\n
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the National Weather Service are tracking the air quality across the U.P.<\/p>\n
It shows a primary pollutant rate above 900, which is considered hazardous — the threshold for hazardous air is 300. Many events, including Marquette\u2019s Music on Third and farmers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wildfires are so large that they\u2019re putting so much material into the atmosphere, and that\u2019s why the smoke is very dense up here; it\u2019s why we\u2019re seeing visibility reduction. It\u2019s why occasionally folks are seeing ash actually fall from the sky; it\u2019s resulting in some very poor air quality across the region,\u201d NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Joe Phillips said.<\/p>\n
Doctor Rebecca Ulep is with Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. She shares who is most at risk for adverse effects from the smoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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\u2019re more at risk, pregnant women are more at risk, and then outdoor workers are more at risk,\u201d Dr. Ulep said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ulep also shares tips for keeping smoke out of your home and vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally try to limit your time outdoors, stay indoors as much as you can, if you\u2019re 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,\u201d Dr. Ulep said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ulep also said cloth masks aren\u2019t likely to be as effective as an N95 mask because the particulates in the air are small enough to pass through cloth masks.<\/p>\n
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