When will smoke clear in Michigan? What you need to know

• Smoke from Canadian wildfires has continued to impact Michigan air quality throughout the week
• The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert for lower peninsula
• Smoky skies are expected to clear up by midday Friday, but could be back as soon as this weekend, experts say

Canadian wildfires have led to smoky skies and air quality alerts throughout Michigan this week. As of late afternoon Thursday, Detroit and Chicago were among the top five most polluted cities in the world, with air quality alerts for much of Michigan continuing through at least Friday. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

Where are air quality alerts in effect?

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an Air Quality Advisory for all counties in the Lower Peninsula until Friday at noon. 

As of Thursday afternoon, air quality was the worst in southern parts of the state, with cities such as Detroit rated red and considered “unhealthy” in the state’s Air Quality Index — meaning all members of the public can experience health effects. 

The Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula experienced the worst effects Wednesday and were rated at a yellow or “moderate” level, which is outside of EGLE’s air quality alert threshold.

How long will smoke last in Michigan?

EGLE predicts clear conditions late Friday to Saturday, but they likely won’t stay that way for long. 

“The cold front that brought the smoke with it overnight should be clearing out soon and bringing the smoke with it,” EGLE meteorologist Alec Kownacki told Bridge Michigan. “But we are suspecting smoke to come back.” 

Related:

• Smoky skies are ahead in Michigan
• When will the smoke clear in Michigan? What you need to know in the meantime 
• Smoky skies that hurt lungs in Michigan in '23 likely to become more common

According to meteorologists, smoke could come back as soon as Sunday and be on and off throughout next week.

“There will be additional chances for more of that wildfire smoke to work its way back as we get to the weekend,” said Kevin Kacan, meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Detroit office.

Where is the smoke coming from?

There are currently 200 active wildfires in Canada, with half classified as “out of control.” Fires in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta are steered by upper level winds towards Michigan and other parts of the U.S. 

“If those upper level winds cause it to, in our case, travel to the southeast of where these fires are occurring, it's going to increase the likelihood that that smoke is going to get drawn into our area,” Kacan said.

How can I protect myself from the effects? 

Stay inside when possible, especially if air quality is at a red-level air quality alert in your area. 

Dr. Brian McComb, chief medical officer for Munson Healthcare, recommends individuals monitor how they’re feeling. If you experience tightening of the lungs or difficulty breathing, it’s time to head inside. 

“If you start to feel like your lungs are affected very quickly, then you should probably (limit exposure) closer to the 10 to 20 minute range,” McComb said. “It's really just listening to your body and understanding when your lungs are being affected by it, and as long as you're not necessarily showing a lot of symptoms, you're probably going to do just fine.”

According to McComb, people with severe allergies, asthma and lung conditions are at a higher risk for adverse health effects from the smoke. An orange air quality alert means the air is unhealthy for sensitive individuals, which also includes people with heart disease, older adults and children.

EGLE recommends avoiding strenuous outdoor activities and monitoring for symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, and burning in the nose, throat or eyes. When you’re inside, keep windows closed overnight and run air conditioning to prevent smoke from getting indoors. 

Are there long-term dangers from breathing the smoke?

That’s unlikely. “If it's a really high level of exposure to this smoke and irritant, it could potentially cause some long-term problems, but I think the vast majority of people are not going to run into that and they'll be okay,” McComb said. “It's not something that I would expect long-term health problems from.”

How can I monitor the air quality in my location?

Michigan residents can use the new Michigan.gov/MiAir dashboard to view air quality alerts and a map of air quality levels throughout Michigan. Sensitive groups are encouraged to sign up for free email or text alerts through the EnviroFlash program.