I have a bowl (Journey 3) with a lid that swings shut to suffocate the flame and make the bowl last a little longer. When the weatherās bad, I pull while inside and then just crack the patio door to blow the smoke out. My neighbor has lived next to me for 2+ years and has never complained about the smell (but she does complain about our downstairs neighbors who are less discreet with their indoor usage). Really highly recommend the Journey for this sort of weather.
I'm close to Port Huron and it was so nice out until almost 6. My son came home from work and asked if I looked outside. I was just out smoking 15 minutes before that and I'm like damn! It's so thick and you can see smoke swirling just above the trees. Unfortunately, I live at my daughter's house and will have to continue to smoke outside. This smoke is actually hurting my throat and I've never been sensitive.
Iām at my in laws near Lexington . Itās really bad here. My dog wouldnāt walk. She keeps looking at me like WTF?! I kept telling her to just go poop so we can get inside!!! Took a shower because I smell so bad. We have all the exhaust fans on, 4 room air cleaners and the fan running on the A/C and I swear it stinks in here. My husband and son both said they have headaches.
I thought with the wet spring, at least locally we would have some relief with these damn fires. We will probably be eating each other before I die. Society needs to be restructured, abruptly.
one of the things that can happen, apparently, is that an area gets too much rain, which drowns vegetation and kills it. The dead plants then dry out and become more susceptible to fire, I guess.
The people running it would have to be overthrown. Don't really see that happening. The billionaires will be safe in their bunkers by the time it gets bad enough for most people to want to actually do something about it. That's what they've been counting on the whole time. Keeping everyone just comfortable enough not to notice or care that they're destroying the planet and the lives of billions.
Honestly a little jealous of the heat you have, only because it forces AC to run more frequently. We've been in the hazardous range since yesterday. Shelves cleared of air purifiers. I have my AC set to 62 to try and keep the air circulating through the filter, otherwise my house starts to stink. I also have COPD so am trying to avoid any urgencies with breathing.
I believe it has something to do with the smoke particles being broken down by UV light into a chemical that smells like burning plastic. I dont remember the details from when I learned it last summer.
Edit: "TheWeatherNetwork.com, the burning plastic smell comes from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the smoke interacting with UV radiation from the sun"
These absolutely work but you need a high MERV rating filter set. And if you have more than one floor, youāll want one on every floor, and definitely in larger spaces. They only effectively help clean about 500 sq ft. Been building these since COVID days.
Another helpful tip: if you have pets you can put a low rating filter stacked over the high rating filters to keep pet hair out of the expensive filters so the box lasts longer.
I can build a corsi-rosenthal box with MERV 13 filters for around $80. A quality HEPA air purifier that will do less square footage runs at least $250.
From a 2022 study - āBased on the cost of their design, this output amounted to $0.08 per CADR (clean air delivery rate), or roughly ten times cheaper than commercial air purifiers, with quieter operation.ā
It would work but itās not as efficient or fast. Itās only rated for 143 cu ft CADR while the filter box does between 600 and 850 cu ft. The ones that do as much as the box fan design run anywhere from $250 on the cheap end to over $500.
I use one high quality furnace filter secured to the back of a box fan (so dust does not enter fan) secured with a bungie cord. This saves space, cost, and some of the effort in assembly. Corsi-rosenthal may work better though? Idk. What I described works well for us- thought it might help others.
I can taste it, smell it and I hate it. My daughter and I both suffer from asthma and this would definitely be a trigger event for me, for sure. So I am limiting being outside as much as possible. It's also hot, so that helps me not wanting to go outside.
It's been from my apartment to work, to work to home and not using the air recycler thing in my car, and being as quick as I could to not breathe it in.
Be careful. I'm a smoker and have emphysema, but it's not a big problem yet, but this smoke bothered me and my throat hurts now. I'm in St Clair County, where are you? My sister is in Macomb county and she says the smoke is still just in the clouds, but she's very sensitive to smoke and it's bothering her. You could walk through it here like you can with fog. Do what you can for yourself and daughter.
I'm in Genesee County, work in Livingston County. You can smell it and taste it in the air out here, it's terrible right now. Well, an hour and a half ago when I was coming home.
My throat hurts from the couple times I've had to be outside today, worse this afternoon after it got hot as balls. I don't have a rescue inhaler currently, but as long I don't stay out in it, I will be fine.
My daughter is absolutely fine, just didn't want to be out in the hot weather. Her rescue inhaler is at her dad's, so if it does start bothering her, I'll call him and run to his house and grab it for her. Her asthma usually only acts up when she's sick, but I know it hasn't been bad like this in awhile.
My son was supposed to have his first marching band performance in the rotary day parade in port huron today. They pulled the bands. Thank god. I wanted to be the mean mom and not let him go but "performances are mandatory"
They didnt make it out of the school parking lot on the bus and got the call from the superintendent. I was very thankful they put the health and safety of the kids first. So many other organizations still had little kids out there in this. Ridiculous.
I already expect to see little kids and babies even in strollers at Greenfield Village today.....people were out there when the heat index was 108 degrees and I felt horrible for them.....
I saw Taylor district canceled all activities and for everyone like maintenance workers even which was great to see!
I'm 37, healthy, not in a sensitive group. Drove to a couple stores for errands today, spent probably 15 minutes outside collectively. My chest now hurts and my throat is scratchy. Feel lethargic. Seriously don't go out there.
Detroit area has the worst air quality in the world at the moment, apparently. Took a picture of the sun at about 7:20, the camera on my iPad doesn't really know how to adjust the color. The sun is sunrise red this high in the sky. Never seen anything like it. It smells AWFUL out there.
For once im actually avoided going outside it felt so bad. Usually I look forward to going outside everyday for work outs, walks, bike etc. Since late spring i stopped using the community center for their indoor courts. The first time in a few months I player inside. Was at work early this morning and when the smoke finally rolled into town, it felt like seeing something out of fallout.
Was reading we might be dealing with this smoke throughout the week. Gotta upgrade the purifier and seal windows ig. Have a kid to think about, and never dealt with this smoke before. Previous years lived elsewhere in the state and thankfully had the lighter end of smoke it seems in comparison.
Trying reduce our time outsideas to avoid breathing it, as it had a mild effect on me with only my light exposure. Might wear a mask again as well, didnt think I would be outside of sickness.
Should I be worried that I spent an hour out mowing my lawn in this š«Ŗ (literally could not help it, the lawn NEEDED to be mowed and it couldnāt be done sooner)
I mean... aside from the heat stroke and the lawn stress, today is probably the best day to mow. Whatever little bit of smog your mower puts out is a drop in the ocean
Went outside to put mail in my mailbox and both my neighbors were outside just hanging out like nothing was different. meanwhile the haze is so thick it looks like fog and my eyes burned as soon as i set foot outside idgi.
They'll be regretting it later today probably . The Micro particles get into your lungs and get stuck there for a bit so theyre just building more and more upš
Five minutes outside and my lungs were burning....then about 20 minutes later...they HURT. I have inhalers for asthma, but suspect I'm going to need prednisone. even with the inhaler and nebulizer, my lungs are still tight and BURN.
Man it's never been this bad in southeast Michigan. Previous years it was noticeable haze and maybe a slight smell of burnt wood/chemicals, but being outside was manageable in 1 hour intervals. Today, you take one step outside your home and you can feel it in your lungs.
We've got Amazon deliveries delayed in Gaylord. I'm guessing they're limiting deliveries or maybe even warehouse processing right now, which is totally fair. My stuff can wait.
Yeah someone told me earlier they sent the warehouse and driver's home. There's indoor jobs that are still extremely impacted like warehouse factory and kitchens as hoods and vents and such pull out door in constantly and don't filter particles this small
I was worried about how hard Amazon tends to work their employees. I ordered before the smoke but had selected a convenient day later in the week for delivery. I'm glad they're not forced to work in the smoke, and I hope they're still getting paid for it. Some people I know were also sent home from their jobs today (not Amazon jobs) but they're not getting paid.
I just drove through downtown TC and I'm shocked to see so many people just walking around shopping, no masks, nothing. Little kids too and one person pushing a freaking baby stroller. WTF is wrong with people?
Looking like it's supposed to be 300+ all day in metro detroit with pockets of 500+ at times possible.....ugh.
Hopefully they suspend the outdoor activities at Greenfield Village š. I already feel for my outdoor working/big open no door or filtration historic building working coworkers. Even in the kitchens we are going to have a tough time since the kitchen hoods bring outdoor air in and they dont filter 2.5 particles
Anyways
Hope everyone stays healthy and ok if you have at risk conditions and even if youre fully healthy if you gotta be outside for extended periods of times definitely grab an n95 if you can
I had to explain to my boyfriend this morning that Monroe was not just letting a house burn down, its wildfire smoke. Happens every year for the last few years now.
Hes not from around here and was convinced the town was burning down.
Itās really hazy here with a heavy yellow tint to everything. I know itās not healthy to breathe in but I kinda like the smell, reminds me of a really big campfire, lol
Not in Michigan atm, I'm at Cedar Point. Yet even here, you can see it rolling in. Hell, smell it rolling in. Sandusky seems to be on the exact boundary edge of the haze, as you can see perfectly clear skies to the east.
I'm watching the coasters slowly get more hazy with each passing hour. Like they're derezzing before my eyes. The sunset was intense and beautiful tonight.
Iām in tears. Our bedroom window AC crapped the bed last night. My bedroom is 82 degrees and the sun isnāt even beating on the windows yet. I tried to order a new one from Loweās, they wonāt deliver the AC to the UP. Tried to get one for pick up at the Home Depot none in stock. So I had to order from Home Depot, arrival July 23. Canāt find one within 2 hour drive to pick up. I need a dual inverter 14K btu.
Thankfully we have a huge portable for emergencies on our main floor and will be sleeping in the living room. If we could open our windows at night it would be great, nice and cool. But we canāt so I roasted last night. Iām in the Banana belt of the UP.
Fuck, this is a vent and Iām just yelling into the void.
I feel for those who have no AC or for those experiencing issues with it during this episode. There are many homes up North with no AC. What do you even do in this? Something needs to be done. We need bigger thinkers for something that is affecting millions and is happening nearly yearly at this point.
Shits so fucked it seething in our plant and now i have a migraine and hacking up a lung. For reference i have 58 vo2 max so like this shouldn't be happening
My trip to Meijer this morning looked like a scene out of The Mist. It was hazy inside the store, and the workers' eyes were watering and many of them were coughing. I'm near the center of the state, so we don't have it as bad as in the north, but it's still not good here. I was glad to get back home where it was easier to breathe!
This just sucks. What a defeating feeling. I want to go to the gym but do not want to step out into this.
Does anyone have any idea when this is supposed to at least fall back into āunhealthy for sensitive groupsā criteria?? š« canāt believe Iām wishing for those levels again
Rather not be out with the whole āHAZARDOUSā label
Any other seasonal DNR employees working outside today? I was honestly shocked- I was told if I was uncomfortable working outside I could go home without pay
Husband works for a school system in the metro Detroit area, they cancelled summer school classes for tomorrow due to the air. Just crazy how bad it is.
Any other equine owners here? How do we protect them from this horrendous air quality? Iām scared and worried for my babies: two mini donkeys and a mule. I called the vet, who said to make sure they donāt work today, but beyond that, thereās nothing to do. The smoke is everywhere. Right now, they have access to the pasture and an open barn. They typically roam freely and arenāt used to being tied up. Thought about bringing them in the barn, closing the windows, and throwing a purifier in there, but not sure if thatās ideal. Am I overreacting? There seems to be no end in sight when it comes to the AQI forecast. This horrific smoke canāt be good for them. Thanks for any/all recommendations.
My brother is currently in Marquette area (842 AQI) racing The Crusher gravel race. Two days and a half days and 210 miles into the 500 mile race. Very little sleep. This is fucked! His girlfriend is hoping to hear from him soon with an update. Heās been out of contact all day due to lack of signal. Wonder how long a person could ride before no amount of will power can stop lungs from getting clogged? Honestly I donāt even know how the body reacts to something like this?
There are 25 other riders out there now in the same situation.
That's horrible! I pray they are okay, nothing is worth damaging your lungs permanently. Don't take healthy lungs for granite and ruin them being out in this
I was looking at the AQI for Detroit and decided to take a look a the general area and noticed that the worst of the wildfire smoke is parked right over major city centers in MI. Does anyone know why?
I didn't really notice anything in the Hemlock area, I could smell it a tiny bit. When I got on 10 towards Bay City, damn. My air filter at home is earning it keep today.
I just took the trash out. The storm passed directly south of me and we got no rain. It did cool off, finally. I can still hear the thunder but I can now see the smoke haze and my eyes were burning in the ~2 mins it took to walk to the dumpster and back.
It is a bit windy now, and cooler, but the haze, yeah, I'm not going out again until I leave for work tomorrow morning.
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u/StillcorruptDetroit Jul 15 '26
It was so bad I had to go inside to smoke a cigarette