News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Friday, Marie Gilmet-Dully is seen watering flowers in front of the Alpena County Public Library. Dully said that the flowers should start fully blooming in a couple of weeks.

ALPENA — On Friday, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) issued air quality advisories due to Canadian wildfires.

According to an EGLE press release, levels of “fine particulate” were present in the air statewide and posed health risks to sensitive groups. This resulted in advisories that lasted all day Friday and into this morning.

EGLE describes fine particulates as small particles that are less than 2.5 microns in diameter. These particles come from sources such as factory smokestacks, fires, and automobiles.

In the press release, Annette Switzer, EGLE’s air quality division director, explained that the widespread Canadian fires that negatively affected southeast Michigan in 2023, “…emphasized how important communication is when wildfire smoke may impact Michigan’s communities.”

She also explained that EGLE issues air quality advisories to ensure Michigan residents are informed and know how to protect themselves.

Eleanor Dhuyvetter, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said that as of Friday afternoon, the wildfire activity was mostly centered around Alberta and Saskatchewan. She explained that winds were moving smoke south and southeast.

“(Smoke) is trickling into the Upper Peninsula, and then we have a frontal boundary that is currently moving through the area,” Dhuyvetter said. “It’s still up past (Lake) Superior at the moment, but there is stuff ahead of it that’s capturing some of that smoke in the air…that’s what is dragging it south today.”

However, Dhuyvetter said that as of Friday afternoon, the smoke and haziness were expected to clear up in the evening and into the morning.

In regard to the advisory itself, EGLE explained that the difference between an advisory and an alert is that an advisory is called when two or more air quality monitors are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) threshold.

“The Advisory is designed to raise awareness for those who are particularly sensitive to elevated fine particulate levels along with raising awareness for those who are not directly affected,” the press release stated.

On the other hand, EGLE stated that an alert is called when two or more air quality monitors are expected to reach or exceed the USG threshold. The alert range is for Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous air pollution thresholds.

“The Alert is designed to raise heightened awareness because all health groups are included, can be affected, and should take action to help protect themselves,” the press release stated.

To protect their health, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges residents to monitor air quality conditions in their area and adjust levels of physical activity, according to the EGLE press release.

The press release explains that people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, teens, pregnant people, and outdoor workers may be more susceptible to the impacts of wildfire smoke.

“We want Michigan families to know how to best take precautions to protect their health and safety during air quality events,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, said in the press release. “We urge Michiganders to check the Air Quality Index regularly to decide if they should be participating in outdoor activities and use the website to help determine what actions they should take to keep themselves and their families safe.”

Further, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges individuals participating in outdoor recreational activities during air quality advisories and alerts to take extra precautions.

“We urge folks to plan accordingly by taking precautions based on the current conditions, air quality advisories…recommendations and forecasts,” John Pepin, DNR deputy public information officer, said. “Always play it safe, know before you go, and plan ahead.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.