First came a dangerous heat wave and then came dangerous air quality caused by wild fires. The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development announced that the Air Quality Index [AQI] has officially reached the “hazardous for everyone” level and will remain that way until the end of today, Friday July 17.
“According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, any value of the AQI over 300 is deemed hazardous to everybody outside,” the OCED’s Hannah Lane explains. “Typically, if you have asthma, or a respiratory condition, its important that you’re not outside, but when values are over 300 that’s when everybody should start taking precautions. Washtenaw County is already over 400 for today (Thursday, July 16), so that means that if you’re outside for long periods of time you could experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, burning in your nose, throat and eyes; so it’s important to just not be outside for too long.”
They are now recommending that people refrain from going outdoors or working outside if at all possible. If you do have to venture outside, they are recommending that you mask up.
If you are in danger due to a respiratory condition or need a place to seek refuge from the heat, you can sit for free in the lobby of one of three locations from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – the Towner Human Services Building on Ypsi’s east end, the Learning Resource Center on the northeastern side of Pittsfield Township or the Washtenaw County Administration Building in downtown Ann Arbor.
You can also find out what your areas specific air quality situation is by entering your zip code into AirNow.gov. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy also has an air quality dashboard.
“A statewide Air Quality Alert remains in place, along with heat advisories for Thursday as Canadian wildfires, north of the Minnesota arrowhead continue to burn, out of control, and are spreading. A review of the Thursday morning monitor readings is showing AQI impacts ranging from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous throughout the state. Unfortunately, those conditions will persist throughout Thursday and into Friday. Observed smoke concentrations are unprecedented and far exceed the smoke events of 2023 and 2025. This can be blamed on the nearness of the fires (north of the Minnesota arrowhead region) and the shear number and size of fires in that area. A front dropped through the region on Wednesday trapping and dragging that smoke southward to complete the picture,” ELGE said on the dashboard’s website. They added: “The big question is how long will this last. Indications are that Friday will likely be a repeat of Thursday. As such, we will be keeping the forecast ranging from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous. Our best model for smoke only predicts out to 48 hours. That model is currently showing improvements on Saturday, but it is likely that smoke will linger and recirculate for a while. The National Weather Service mentions the possibility of rain on Saturday, which would help. The Friday forecast will shed more light on that.”
The MDDHS recommends that you close all windows while staying inside, use portable heaters if your “HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher” or use a DIY Air Cleaner. They also recommend against using candles, vacuums, gas stoves, aerosol sprays or from smoking.
“Unhealthy to hazardous air due to wildfire smoke may remain in large parts of the state for several days,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the MDHHS’ Chief Medical Executive, said. “We urge residents to take protective actions according to the guidance included in Your Health and Wildfire Smoke. These recommendations can help Michiganders protect their health, particularly those with asthma, other respiratory conditions or heart conditions.”
The reason this is happening is the same reason that is becoming routine in recent years due to climate change – wildfires, in both Minnesota and northern Ontario. As in previous years, wild fires that have started to bedevil parts of rural Ontario have resulted in huge perfect storms of smoke, drifting southeastward and blanketing much of the Lower Peninsula. There are at least 135 individual wildfires happening across northern Ontario right now according to Canada’s Global News and the New York Times; forcing evacuations as Canadians get the brunt of the smoke now hitting us. The BBC and The Guardian have even showed a freight training needing to barrel its way through one of the wildfires in order to escape.
What this means for the Ann Arbor
It wasn’t an ideal way to start this year’s Art Fair. They announced altered hours Thursday and gave artists flexibility to chose when they open and close.
“Due to continued wildfire smoke across Michigan, Ann Arbor Art Fair directors have notified artists that they may operate on altered hours, closing their booths early at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 16, and reopening at noon Friday, July 17,” the Ann Arbor Art Fair’s Kamryn Lowler announced a quarter after 3 p.m. on Thursday. “Artists may choose to remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days as originally scheduled. Most downtown restaurants and retailers also remain open for business.”
The City of Ann Arbor has also changed its plans due to the climate conditions. A2 City Communications Manager Joanna Satterlee announced in a press release late Thursday “The City of Ann Arbor is not collecting paper yard bags and bundled brush Friday, July 17, due to forecasted hazardous air quality conditions. The city plans for the Friday collections of paper yard bags and bundled brush to take place Saturday, July 18, pending improvements in air quality conditions.” According to a press release, “Residents are encouraged to store paper yard bags in a dry location until collection can safely resume. Regular curbside collection of trash, recycling and compost carts will continue on their normal schedule and are not affected.”
The hazardous smokey conditions are expected to last at least until the end of Friday. Current Magazine will provide an update if conditions mean that the smoke will continue.
Drew Saunders is a freelance business and environmental journalist who grew up just outside of Ann Arbor. He covers local business developments, embraces his foodie side with reviews restaurants, obsesses over Michigan's environmental state, loves movies, and feels spoiled by the music he gets to review for Ann Arbor!
