Michigan residents woke up to hazy skies and air quality alerts as thick smoke from Canada’s relentless wildfires swept across the region, prompting urgent warnings from health and weather officials. Over 180 wildfires are burning across Canada, with nearly half considered out of control, and the resulting smoke has triggered air quality warnings from Minnesota and Michigan down to South Carolina.
In Michigan, the air quality index reached levels deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups, especially in the Upper Peninsula and northern counties. The National Weather Service cautioned residents to limit outdoor activities, particularly those with respiratory conditions, seniors, and children Hazy conditions are expected to persist through Monday night, with the smoke forecast to linger as shifting winds make air quality unpredictable.
The latest wildfire smoke maps show that the densest plumes are moving through the Upper Midwest, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as waves of smoke drift south from major fires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan These Canadian provinces have declared states of emergency, with more than 25,000 people evacuated and thousands of acres already scorched..
Officials warn that the situation could worsen if hot, dry weather continues, fueling further fire activity and smoke production. Residents are urged to monitor local air quality updates and take precautions as the wildfire season intensifies across the region.
