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Hard to breathe

Wildfire smoke makes for unhealthy air in region

By Betsy Bloom 5 min read

IRON MOUNTAIN -- Heavy smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota moved into the Upper Peninsula early Wednesday, locking the region down with unhealthy, even hazardous, air conditions that prompted warnings to stay indoors.

Meteorologists at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued a statewide air quality alert that is expected to last through today and perhaps into Friday.

Some parts of the Upper Peninsula reported Air Quality Index readings in the hazardous range, the highest level on the AQI scale. A monitor in Negaunee Township had a reading of 955, well above the 301 and higher threshold for the "hazardous" designation, when EGLE advises everyone -- regardless of age or health -- remain indoors and reduce activity.

By afternoon, today's Out to Lunch music program that normally takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the stage across from Dickinson County Library had been shifted to The Braumart, the venue used for inclement weather. Norway's Music in the Park will take place as planned at 7 p.m. at the downtown band shell, but the open air market has been canceled.

Youth soccer games were called off, with new dates to be announced. SAY Northern Michigan League postponed games scheduled for both Wednesday and today due to poor air quality.

Outdoor events in other communities in the region were similarly affected. Organizers are encouraged to contact The Daily News at 906-774-2772 or news@ironmountaindailynews.com if having to delay, move or cancel an event.

Several residents reported finding their vehicles dusted with ash when they left for work Wednesday morning and the air being like sitting alongside a campfire or when burning brush. The haze obscured the hills in Iron Mountain and turned the sun red-orange long before sunset.

More than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, while the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in far northeastern Minnesota was forced to close after about 17 fires caused by lightning more than a week ago continued to spread, according to the Associated Press. Officials warned the large fires in Minnesota could burn for months.

Winds were carrying the smoke southeast, with air quality warnings Wednesday extending from Minnesota through Toronto and into New York. People in New York reported smelling smoke Wednesday afternoon and the problems extended even to Maine, where residents were reporting a yellowish and brownish color in the sky. The most intense smoke could spread as far south as Washington, D.C., by midday today, according to the Associated Press.

"Previous wildfire events emphasized how important communication is when wildfire smoke may impact Michigan's communities," said Annette Switzer, EGLE's Air Quality Division director. "We want to make sure residents stay informed and feel confident about how to protect themselves and their families."

Those who have asthma or another lung disease or cardiovascular disease should follow their physician's advice about medications and their management plan. Call the doctor if symptoms worsen when the AQI is Orange, or "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," or higher.

To otherwise deal with such conditions, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

Stay indoors

-- Close windows and keep outside doors shut.

-- Run air conditioning.

-- If your air conditioner has a fresh air option, close the intake. -- Use an air filter in your HVAC system rated MERV-13 or better.

-- It is okay to use window air conditioning units. They should have tight seals between the unit and the window, and a recirculation mode that prevents pulling in outside air. Learn more about adjusting your air conditioner at EPA's Indoor Air Quality webpage, https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/wildfires-and-indoor-air-quality-iaq#:~:text=Make%20sure%20that%20the%20seal,more%20smoke%20being%20brought%20inside.

-- If you do not have air conditioning or an air filter, consider setting up a "clean room" where levels of smoke and other particles are kept as low as possible.

-- You can create a temporary air purifier with a 2012 or newer box fan and attaching a MERV-13 or higher air filter to it. Information is available at EPA’s page on Do-it-Yourself Air Cleaners, https://www.epa.gov/air-research/research-diy-air-cleaners-reduce-wildfire-smoke-indoors#Infographic.

-- Avoid activities that can create additional pollution, such as frying foods, sweeping, burning candles, vacuuming and smoking tobacco or other products.

-- Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Call or text 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a shelter or cooling center nearby. Or consider spending time in an air-conditioned public place, such as a library, mall, movie theater, etc.

If you must be outside

-- Consider using a mask. The best mask to use is a tight-fitting N95 or P100 respirator marked with "NIOSH." If those are unavailable or do not fit well, KN95 and KF94 respirators are an option. Learn more at bit.ly/EPA-masks.

-- Choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don't breathe as hard.

-- Shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

-- If you can, reschedule an activity to be outdoors when air quality is better.

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Betsy Bloom can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85240, or bbloom@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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