Air quality in Delta County worsens to “hazardous” levels

AirNow's air quality graphic for Escanaba as of Wednesday afternoon (Data courtesy of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy)

AirNow's air quality graphic for Gladstone as of Wednesday afternoon (Data courtesy of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy)

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AirNow's air quality graphic for Escanaba as of Wednesday afternoon (Data courtesy of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy)

AirNow's air quality graphic for Gladstone as of Wednesday afternoon (Data courtesy of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy)

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ESCANABA -- According to AirNow -- an official U.S. government program that provides real-time and forecast air quality data -- particle pollution reached “hazardous” levels in several areas of Delta County today and is forecast to remain at such levels through Thursday.

An Air Quality Index (AQI) rating of hazardous means everyone should stay indoors and reduce activity levels, according to AirNow.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) issued a statewide air quality alert at midnight Tuesday as thick smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires elevated fine particulate matter (PM2.5) to what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers “hazardous” levels across the region.