Smoke from Ontario, Minnesota wildfires causes unhealthy air quality across U.P.
The Marquette Lighthouse Wednesday, seen through the smoke. (Journal photos by Annie Lippert)
The ore dock in Marquette's Lower Harbor is seen flanked by sailboats. The rest of Marquette is barely visible through the smoke. (Journal photos by Annie Lippert)
The Marquette Lighthouse Wednesday, seen through the smoke. (Journal photos by Annie Lippert)
The ore dock in Marquette's Lower Harbor is seen flanked by sailboats. The rest of Marquette is barely visible through the smoke. (Journal photos by Annie Lippert)
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MARQUETTE -- Wildfire smoke blew into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday night from across Lake Superior, causing residents to wake up to a settled layer of ash and foul-smelling, unhealthy air.
The air quality alerts led to the Marquette Wednesday night Farmer's Market and tonight’s Music on Third events to be cancelled, along with other events in the area.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy released a second Air Quality Alert on Wednesday, which indicates that air quality will likely only worsen through Thursday. And then at about mid afternoon Wednesday, the state issued another emergency public safety alert effective until Friday because of poor air quality.
On Wednesday, air pollutant levels in the U.P. ranged from Unhealthy to Hazardous. EGLE predicts that pollutant levels on Thursday across the U.P. will be in the Very Unhealthy range. There is a possibility that some hourly readings could reach Hazardous.
"With the persistent and aggressive nature of these fires, a statewide Air Quality Alert will remain in place through Thursday with a good possibility of extending into Friday," said EGLE. "Health advisors recommend limiting outdoor time, making sure to keep windows closed and, if possible, run central air conditioning with higher rated filters."
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends that, if you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 mask for best protection and slow down so you aren't breathing as hard.
"Climate change makes wildfire season worse," says the MDHHS on their webpage titled "Your Health and Wildfire Smoke. "Hotter and drier conditions in North American forests means that there is more dry wood and underbrush that can easily be ignited by a stray campfire spark or a lightning strike.
"Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and small (or fine) particles that can harm your health if you breathe it. Everyone should avoid breathing wildfire smoke, and some people are more sensitive to it because of their age or pre-existing health conditions.
Health effects from breathing wildfire smoke include stinging eyes, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath, asthma attacks and heart failure.
The MDHHS Environmental Health hotline is available for Michigan residents to ask health questions related to air quality issues. The number of 800-648-6942 and is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The full "Your Health and Wildfire Smoke" webpage is available at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.