Metro Detroit is facing some of the world’s worst air quality Thursday morning, July 16, as wildfire smoke moves over the region.
Cities across southeast Michigan woke up to hazy skies, with the scent of burning wood lingering in the air from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Ontario, Canada.
The U.S. Air Quality Index registered readings above 800, reflecting hazardous, unhealthy air quality in metro Detroit. In Detroit, the AQI is at 460, with the website IQAir ranking it among the world’s worst major cities for air quality today.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued air quality alerts across Michigan for July 16 because of elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises staying indoors with windows closed and air conditioning running amid wildfire smoke. If you have to go outside, limit your time outdoors, avoid strenuous activities and consider wearing an N95 mask.
Here’s what to know about current air quality conditions.
How to check air quality where you live
The map below displays the current air quality at monitoring sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Air monitoring sites are color-coded based on the pollutant (ozone or particulate matter) with the highest value. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers and 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called PM10 and PM2.5, respectively.
An AQI of 50 or below means the current air quality is good. The shaded areas of the map show the approximate boundaries where air quality is available and listed as anything other than good. The information is updated hourly.
What is the Air Quality Index today in southeast Michigan?
Some of the highest readings in southeast Michigan at 8 a.m. on the Air Quality Index include:
How does Detroit rank worldwide?
Among the major cities worldwide with poor air quality today, Detroit tops the list and several are in the U.S.
How do I read the air quality index?
The AQI features six color-coded categories: green, yellow, orange, red, purple and maroon as a way to easily determine the level of concern.
Each category also has corresponding values which represents the level of pollution, with 301-plus being the worst.
Here’s a breakdown:
Lansing State Journal reporter Sarah Moore contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why is it smoky today? Wildfire smoke has Detroit air quality among world’s worst
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi and Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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By Jenna Prestininzi and Sarah Moore, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
