WEST MICHIGAN — Canadian wildfire smoke continues to blanket Michigan with many locations remaining in the "unhealthy zone" on the Air Quality Index as of Thursday. Some cities across the Great Lakes were in the top 10 cities with the worst air quality in the United States on both Wednesday and Thursday. This morning, the air quality has improved with significantly lower numbers, but a statewide air quality alert is still in place today. The numbers below represent the AQI for early Friday morning.
The air quality index continues to rise and fall due to the location of the wildfires and our wind direction. Conditions improved slightly on Thursday, however wildfire smoke is likely to linger through today along with elevated ozone levels.
For your current air quality index value, IQAir provides immediate updates. Click HERE to find your community's AQI.
In recent months with wildfire smoke, West Michigan has wavered between the "moderate" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" zones which are represented by the colors yellow and orange. Sensitive groups indicates those with asthma or respiratory concerns.
The red zone indicates that the air is unhealthy for people to breathe in for extended amounts of time, so everyone should limit their time outdoors. This is where parts of West Michigan are currently, with a few locations reaching the "very unhealthy" index. In the purple or "very unhealthy" index, people with respiratory concerns should avoid outdoor activity.
The National Weather Service indicated in their statement on Monday that the wildfires are originating in Quebec, Canada. With winds wrapping into West Michigan from the northwest, it's allowing for smoke to be exceptionally dense. An Air Quality Alert has been posted again for the entire state of Michigan for Thursday, June 29.
Our surface smoke forecast has wildfire smoke remaining today. This will allow for reduced visibility reduced air quality. Our smoke forecast model below shows the thicker areas of smoke in yellow.
Try to refrain from refueling vehicles, or running gas powered equipment today. Conditions are likely to improve on Saturday, with only a small amount of haze expected.
For more information about your West Michigan forecast, stay alert with the FOX 17 Weather Team on-air, online, and via our FOX 17 Weather App.
