Air quality alert remains in effect

An air quality alert remains in effect today in the Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift across the region.

Conditions, however, were expected to improve from Friday, when the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said concentrations in the northern portions of the state were hazardous.

Today’s outlook ranges from unhealthy to sensitive groups in southern parts of the state to very unhealthy in the north.

On Friday, communities in Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois again registered some of the worst air quality in the world, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring website.

The conditions led Iron Mountain Area North Little League to postpone four games scheduled Friday in the Juniors state tournament taking place in Felch Township. Organizers had hoped to move some games to Iron Mountain on Friday afternoon, but those were called off as well.

The annual Saturday in the Park fundraiser at Iron Mountain City Park was taking place as planned Friday night. Gates were scheduled to open at 2:30 p.m. today for the celebration’s second day.

The National Weather Service said there may be pockets of relief at times this weekend, but smoky conditions will persist.

Bob Oravec, a lead NWS forecaster based in Maryland, told the Associated Press the source of the smoke isn’t going away anytime soon. "It's just going to depend upon which way the wind's blowing as to where the smoke is going to affect the most,” he said.

Wildfires are burning in the Ontario area of Canada as well as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, which U.S. officials have closed as they fight to put out the blazes.

Smoke on Friday reached Washington, D.C., where the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and other national landmarks were enveloped in an orange-hued haze through much of the day, the AP reported.

People, particularly those with heart or lung disease, older adults and children, were urged to limit or avoid going outside until air quality improved.

Long-term exposure to smoky conditions can complicate existing health problems and lead to chronic and deadly issues, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular and neurological diseases and premature death, officials warned.

For up-to-date air quality data in Michigan, go to Michigan.gov/MiAir.

In Wisconsin, go to https://www.airnow.gov/state/?name=wisconsin.