Detroit had an air quality index rating of 306 Wednesday, the highest in state, according to the MI Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
Detroit — Lingering haze from Canadian wildfires continued to cloud southeast Michigan’s skies Wednesday, forcing an air quality alert to be extended through Thursday, shifting outdoor programs to indoors and prompting local health departments to urge vulnerable groups to take precautions.
Michigan now remains under an air quality alert through Thursday with elevated levels of particulate matter — a danger for sensitive groups, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy announced just after 11 a.m. Wednesday. Just after 8 a.m., AirNow.gov reported an air quality index of 306 for Detroit, the highest in the state.
That index put the city within the « hazardous » range, dangerous enough to impact everyone, not just those who are vulnerable to air pollution. When air quality is hazardous, Airnow.gov recommends everyone avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Air quality index measurements are a color-coded way for residents to identify levels of sustained air pollution in their area.
Dense fog from smoke plumes limited visibility to a quarter mile or less Wednesday morning, prompting the National Weather Service to urge motorists to slow down and allow extra time for travel.
The visibility restrictions were expected to lift by late Wednesday morning, said Andrew Arnold, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake Township.
« When the sun starts to come up, the fog itself starts to decrease and burn off a little bit, » Arnold said just before 10 a.m. « We’re already starting to see improvements now in terms of the fog and the visibility restrictions. »
Several local health departments, meanwhile, warned vulnerable residents about issues that could arise from the smoky haze and how to protect themselves.
The Detroit Health Department said health effects of particle pollution exposure can range from relatively minor conditions such as eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious health effects such as asthma, heart failure and premature death. Older adults, pregnant women, children and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke, the agency said.
“We are continually monitoring the situation and are in close contact with our partners at EGLE, the city’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, as well as the city’s Environmental Division,” said Christina Floyd, Detroit’s acting chief public health officer, in a statement. “As conditions warrant, we will provide additional updates and guidance to help make sure our residents stay safe.
