Marquette, Michigan – Smoke from wildfires burning in Manitoba and Saskatchewan is set to blanket Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula starting Friday morning and linger through the weekend, prompting an air quality advisory for residents across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are expected to reach the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (USG) range across much of the western U.P. by Friday. Short-term hourly readings may briefly spike into the red “Unhealthy” category.
The smoke is being carried in by a cold front descending from Ontario, with areas such as Houghton, Ironwood, and Escanaba likely to experience hazy skies, reduced visibility, and poor breathing conditions. Health officials recommend that people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions limit outdoor activity and keep windows closed through Sunday evening.
Air quality may improve by Monday as winds shift. Additional advisories could be issued if smoke concentrations increase or spread farther east.
