Michigan, air quality and wildfire smoke
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A haze of Canadian wildfire smoke can be seen over Grand Rapids, Mich. on June 5, 2025. The air quality index was above 151, indicating unhealthy air quality. Health experts say exposure to the smoky air can have short- and long-term health consequences. Joel Bissell | MLive.com
We’re probably going to be dealing with this for a while, much like we did the past couple of years,” said meteorologist Jim Keysor.
Drivers traveling over Michigan's Mackinac Bridge on Wednesday may experience a haze. However, officials say it is not fog but smoke.
Close to three dozen firefighters were reported to be working on the blaze throughout Monday with help from helicopter crews, according to the DNR. Its cause was still under investigation.
Canadian wildfires led to Mackinac Bridge in Michigan being shrouded in smoke, prompting visibility and air quality concerns, with Michigan authorities and health officials advising caution and monitoring air conditions.
Fox 2's Alan Longstreet joins Jay, Allyson, and Chelsea to discuss the thick wildfire smoke impacting Michigan’s skies. The trio covers how long it'll last, safety concerns, and what it means for your weekend plans.
A pulmonologist recommends limiting outdoor exposure to minutes when AQI exceeds 150, and notes smoky conditions from Canadian wildfires could last for weeks.
Lightning, which is more common in hotter temperatures, is usually the cause of wildfires that burn the most land. In 2023, scientists at Canada’s natural resources department found that lightning sparked fires that burned 93 percent of the total wildfire area, and the remaining seven percent of the area burned from human causes.