Wildfire smoke from Canada has swallowed the Great Lakes region, including Michigan, forcing state officials to issue six state-wide advisories. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has already issued its tenth air quality advisory of the season. This alert is issued in response to the ongoing smoke affecting the state. Air quality index readings have reached “unhealthy for sensitive groups” readings. In response, as one example, officials are calling on Canada to adopt more stringent wildfire mitigation standards.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic rise in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in many areas across Michigan. Just last month, a Mlive report showed that central Macomb County air quality index values hit between 140–150 (corresponding to unhealthy range). These levels create serious health hazards, particularly for sensitive groups. As we head deeper into summer, it has been the smoke from Canadian wildfires that has been making regular headlines. As a result, hundreds of thousands of residents in Michigan face severe health impacts such as eye irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Increasing Concern Over Air Quality
Candice Miller, now Macomb County’s public works commissioner, wrote extensively on her frustration with air pollution. She focused on the challenges presented by the current Canadian wildfires. We need to take a stand to make sure that breathing in wildfire smoke is never just another normal part of living in our great State of Michigan!
“Breathing in the Canadian wildfires smoke cannot be the new normal,” – Candice Miller
Miller highlighted the increasing prevalence of health issues among residents, stating, “Meanwhile, we see so many more people suffering eye irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness and other related issues from the Canadian wildfire smoke.” Her comments speak to the increasing fear that this air quality emergency could last for the entire summer season.
The change in Michigan air quality readings from focus area July 30. In Marquette’s case, for example, the index was 139 but in neighboring communities like DeTroy and Flint, the concentration was much higher. Unbeknownst to Seney that morning, air quality had reached an alarming level of 160. Geography Seney is located in the center of the central portion of the Upper Peninsula.
Call for Action from Canadian Officials
Miller has laid out her objections directly to U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra. She is encouraging him to use his influence to advocate for more effective wildfire management practices on both sides of the border. She believes better forest management in Canada is vital. This reduces the frequency and severity of wildfires, but it improves air quality back here in Michigan.
“Ambassador Hoekstra needs to make some noise,” – Candice Miller
Miller continued to condemn the Canadian officials for their seeming lack of concern for the developing wildfires. She characterized their replies as “amazingly unneighborly” and stressed that communities need direct action, not diverting promises to pass the buck.
“It’s unacceptable for our friends in Canada to simply say, ‘The fires will burn out’ or ‘Wait until December,’” – Candice Miller
She pushed back against a common assumption that the only people affected by wildfire smoke are sensitive groups, stressing that this issue touches all residents. Miller stated, “That description misses the mark, in my opinion. Smoke is unhealthy for all groups.”
Future Air Quality Outlook
Michigan is in a real-time air quality emergency right now. To see the current state of air quality, residents should regularly visit EGLE’s MiAir Quality Index Dashboard. Beginning late Thursday and through Friday, areas across southern and eastern Michigan will enjoy better air quality. This shift is perhaps most apparent in the Lower Peninsula. More waves of wildfire smoke are expected to keep dragging air quality down across the region.
Pollutants across Michigan are predicted to continue at unhealthy levels for sensitive individuals through at least Saturday. The recent pervasive smoke from Canadian wildfires reminds us that this challenge will not resolve soon or simply.
“Smoke from Canadian wildfires remains over the state on July 30, with PM2.5 concentrations ranging from USG to Unhealthy,” – Stephanie M. Hengesbach
