Wildfire smoke drifts over Crystal Falls lakes as air alert begins

Wildfire smoke hung over the Fortune Chain of Lakes in Crystal Falls as Michigan’s statewide air quality alert took effect, putting northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula first in line for the worst of the air. Photos shared by ABC News chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee showed the haze drifting over the lakes in Iron County.

The alert began at midnight July 15 after meteorologists at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued a statewide warning for elevated fine particulate pollution, or PM2.5, tied to ongoing Canadian wildfires. Air quality was expected to be affected first in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, and the event could last multiple days. No local emergency declarations were in place in Iron County.

Wildfire smoke can cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, and it can trigger asthma attacks and heart failure. Officials urged residents to stay indoors when possible, keep outdoor time short, avoid strenuous activity outside and wear an N95 mask if outdoor exposure could not be avoided. Those precautions matter most for children, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with asthma, heart disease or other breathing problems.

AirNow’s Fire and Smoke Map showed wildfire smoke affecting air quality in multiple states and can be used to check local conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also points people to that map to track smoke impacts and protect health. EGLE counted 31 alerts during the unprecedented summerlong 2023 event, and 2026 had already seen repeated smoke-related air-quality concerns before this latest warning.