The alert from meteorologists at EGLE took effect at midnight Tuesday and is expected to continue through Wednesday, with the potential to be extended to a multi-day event if smoky conditions persist.

Fine Particulate concentrations for the Air Quality Index (AQI) are expected to be considered unhealthy (AQI Red) in the Upper Peninsula, meaning some members of the general public may experience health effects. Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

“In terms of wildfire smoke, we have been fortunate so far in 2026,” EGLE said. “Unfortunately, our luck has run out as the fires north of the Minnesota arrowhead have rapidly expanded, overnight, and satellite imagery shows large areas of smoke headed our way.

In a forecast summary on Tuesday, EGLE indicated winds will shift and smoke will start pushing south.

The Air Quality Index (AQI), provides a color-coded framework for Michigan residents to see the levels of some types of air pollution in their area. The higher the AQI, the worse the air quality and the more cause for concern. (AQI index image courtesy of EGLE)

“The Upper Peninsula will be impacted first, starting around midnight (Tuesday) and pushing south in the northern Lower Peninsula overnight,” EGLE said. “Current models are showing that the dense smoke could reach the Michigan/Indiana border late in the day (Wednesday). As such, we are calling a statewide Air Quality Alert for wildfire smoke for Wednesday.”

EGLE noted this will likely linger through Thursday and perhaps longer.

The full article on the local air quality will be printed in Thursday’s edition of the Daily Press.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.