The city is distributing free masks, offering refuge and urging residents to take precautions amid hazardous air quality conditions.
Mayor Mary Sheffield and Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed are providing updated guidance for Detroiters concerned about the poor air quality caused by ongoing wildfires in Canada.
Michigan regulators issued a statewide air quality alert for Wednesday, July 15 and Thursday, July 16 as wildfires near Lake Superior began to blanket the state with smoke.
In a Thursday statement, Sheffield stressed residents should “take this issue seriously.”
“We strongly urge Detroiters to follow the guidance of our Health Department and limit outdoor activity,” she said. “If you are outdoors and need relief, you can visit any one of our active respite locations, which include recreation centers and libraries.”
The city also noted that free masks are available to residents at the Farwell, Adam Butzel, Northwest Activities Center and Patton recreation centers. Masks also are being distributed along the DDOT system for passengers who are outdoors and to residents at Detroit senior buildings.
Visit www.airnow.gov for up-to-date air quality conditions. Residents can also sign up for the city’s emergency alert system.
To help keep residents safe, the city is providing the following guidance and resources:
- Stay indoors as much as possible
- Keep windows and doors closed, if possible
- Move physical activities indoors or reschedule them
- Wear a mask
For residents who do not have working air conditioning, the city’s recreation centers are open during normal business hours:
Detroit Recreation Centers:
- Adams Butzel Complex, 10500 Lyndon (313) 628-0990 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval (313) 628-2100 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Clemente Recreation Center, 2631 Bagley (313) 224-0228
- Coleman Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby (313) 628-0995 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Community Center at A.B. Ford, 100 Lenox St. (313) 628-1197
- Crowell Recreation Center, 16630 Lahser (313) 628-2047 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Farwell Recreation Center, 2781 E. Outer Drive (313) 628-2028 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Helen Moore Community Center, 11825 Dexter Ave. (313) 224-9303 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Heilmann Recreation Center, 19601 Brock Ave. (313) 224-9334 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort (313) 628-2819 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Lasky Recreation Center, 13200 Fenelon (313) 628-2030
- Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road (313) 578-7500 (open until 11 p.m. July 16)
- Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere (313) 628-2000
- Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center, 8431 Rosa Parks (313) 628-2039
City Programming cancelations
The city also has canceled all outdoor programming – including this week’s Occupy The Summer programming on Friday. Saturday’s Late Night Basketball is still happening since it is inside, as well as Sunday’s Hoopfest, according to the city.
All city department heads are being instructed to limit employees’ outdoor work to essential work only.
Health effects of particle pollution exposure can range from relatively minor (e.g., eye and respiratory tract irritation) to more serious health effects (e.g., exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death). Older adults, pregnant women, infants, children and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in wildfire smoke.
“We are closely monitoring conditions and working directly with departments across the city to provide timely updates and guidance to help keep Detroit residents safe,” Abazeed said in a statement. “Anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, coughing, chest discomfort, or irritation of the eyes or throat should contact their healthcare provider.”
For more information, please see the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Air Quality Index page at https://air-egle.hub.arcgis.com/.
