As this wildfire season gets rocking and the northern states are blanketed in wildfire smoke from Canadian wildfires and fires that are burning across northern Minnesota. According to the U.S. Forest Service there is only 15-17 active wildfires in Minnesota and there are currently none burning in Wisconsin or Michigan.

As the Mackinac Bridge is socked in with smoke commuters noted that there was ash falling in the area that looked like small pieces of snow. The Detroit Free Press reported that the Mackinac Bridge Authority had dropped the posted speed limit to 25 MPH due to severely reduced visibility. The smoke provided a very thick yellow blanket over the entirety of Northern Michigan.

According to CTV News there is nearly 200 active wildfires in Ontario alone that along with the wind is contributing to the very thick smoke that is covering the midwest. While these fires may not seem like a large number they are covering a substantial amount of acreage that has been burning and considered out of control.

According to the Canadian Government there has been roughly 1750 wildfires through the middle of June. They have been able to contain some of the fires and others have been listed as extinguished. With the current temperatures and wind direction the wildfires are causing a lot of air quality issues in the Northern United States.

Wunderground states that there are several ways to protect yourself when the air quality gets to be in the hazardous and other high categories. Consider reducing your outside activities or at least limit them. Then consider wearing at the minimum a N95 mask that assists with filtering the air.

In the long run be safe when taking time outside using the proper precautions. Make sure to look out for older people, babies, and those that are immunocompromised. While some of the fires are caused by natural phenomena such as lightning others are caused by human carelessness. It is a reminder to be careful when burning campfires and debris. Follow the burn restrictions and make sure to never leave a fire unattended.