MICHIGAN — Smoke from wildfires burning hundreds of miles away in central Canada returned to Michigan on Wednesday morning, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
Although forecasters did not issue any alerts across Michigan, they warned sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease and children and older adults to reduce prolonged or heavy activity outdoors.
Exposure to air pollutants from the wildfire smoke can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains, asthma attacks, irritated throat and increased coughing, according to forecasters.
In addition to Detroit, residents in areas from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., as well as New York City can expect hazy skies Tuesday evening, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
"In locations across the Great Lakes and Northeast, the most widespread impacts from the smoke will be hazy skies, leading to especially colorful sunrises and sunsets," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
The good news, however, is that forecasters expect overnight southwestern winds to push the plume of smoke out of Michigan by the morning hours. Thunderstorms are also possible Thursday in southeastern Michigan, according to AccuWeather forecasters.
Forecasters said the ongoing wildfires in central and western Canada are drifting farther north, giving the smoke more time to drift into the atmosphere before reaching Michigan and other parts of the U.S., limiting most health concerns.
Michigan has seen 28 air quality alerts from smoke drifting into the state from the Canadian wildfires this summer. Other parts of the country, including areas from Chicago to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. have seen the smoke turn skies orange, creating apocalyptic views.
