WEST MICHIGAN — The smoke from wildfires in western Canada prompted an air quality advisory to expand across the entire state of Michigan on Friday.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued the change just before noon.
Wildfires in the Manitoba Providence of Canada are releasing a large amount of smoke into the atmosphere, which is being carried into the Great Lakes region by a cold front. Forecast models call for the heaviest smoke levels to hit West Michigan Friday afternoon into the evening.
WATCH: FOX 17's Sam Landstra interviews an EGLE meteorologist on how to take health precautions during an air quality advisory
Smoke will be riding in along and behind a cold front, which looks to bring isolated showers and storms Friday afternoon. But rain has trended lighter, in part to the smoke limiting moisture in the atmosphere as the front dips south.
Smoke levels are expected to reach a point that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and young children.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE: Air Quality Advisory vs Alert
Hourly levels could reach the unhealthy level, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). By Saturday the amount of smoke should fall below an advisory level.
"We want to notify the public so people can protect themselves," said Stephanie Hengesbach, an EGLE meteorologist.
Hengesbach says, when possible, people should avoid strenuous activity and stay inside, preferably with an air conditioner with a filter. This especially applies to the elderly, small children and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
"Individuals know their body more than anybody else, and if they start feeling the effects, maybe it's time to leave, it's time to go inside," said the meteorologist, adding respirator masks such as N95s can also be an effective precautionary measure.
When EGLE issues an air quality advisory (AQI 101-150) or an air quality alert (AQI 151-500), its declaration is dependent on elevated levels of either ozone or particulate matter, referred to as PM 2.5.
"When [PM 2.5] moves into the area, there's no chemical reaction," Hengesbach said. "Sunlight doesn't matter. When it's there, it's there until there's some type of air mass change to push it out."
Friday's air quality advisory, related to PM 2.5, is the first issued by EGLE in 2025.
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