Michigan air quality alert extended into Saturday as unhealthy air lingers into weekend

Michigan's air quality alert was extended through Saturday, the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) said Friday morning, just as residents are preparing for the holiday weekend.

Affected areas include the southeast Michigan counties of Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, St. Clair and Monroe.

Michigan’s bad air quality: Everything you need to know

As of late Friday morning, Detroit's air quality is still at an unhealthy level: 158, according to AirNow.gov, due to the PM2.5 pollutant that persisting Canadian wildfires are emitting into the midwestern and northeastern United States.

That said, Detroit's air quality has improved since Thursday afternoon, when it reached No. 1 worst air quality among the world's big cities, according to IQAir's Air Quality Index. As of Friday morning, it's outside the top 40.

The air quality index is forecast to vary from levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups to levels that are unhealthy for all people. Exposure to such compromised air quality can have adverse effects on individuals, particularly those with preexisting health conditions, according to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS). The department warned that individuals with lung and heart conditions, adults aged 65 and above, pregnant women, and children are at a higher risk of experiencing harm from the smoke.

For context: How the EPA color-coded air quality index was formed

In order to minimize the risk of inhaling smoke, it is advised to decrease intense outdoor activities, remain indoors, keep windows closed, and run central air conditioning equipped with a MERV-13 filter or higher.

It's also encouraged to avoid activities that may increase pollution, such as driving cars and burning debris.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan air quality alert extended through Saturday