Smoke from the wildfires on the West Coast reached Michigan last week, and causing hazy sunrises and sunsets. Seen here is a photo of the sunrise captured Sept. 15 in Huron Township. More of the same is expected this week. 
(Photo by Scott Bolthouse — The Huron Hub)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Sept. 21, 2020

Last week, social media was ripe with photos of the sunrises and sunsets over Michigan that looked especially interesting due to drifting wildfire smoke from the West Coast.

The sunrises and sunsets in Michigan were hazy. Check it out:

Forecasters are saying that we can expect more of the same this week.

According to MLive.com forecaster Mark Torregrossa, another smoky sky period is on the way for the skies over Michigan.

“The upper-level winds are swinging to blowing out of the west and southwest. That wind direction is moving an area of wildfire smoke that almost covers the entire western half of the U.S.,” the forecaster said. “The leading edge of the smoke is now moving into Michigan.”

Torregrossa said the weather forecast for this week is for quite a bit of sunshine and fairly light winds, meaning the large area of smoke won’t be pushed out of the sky quickly.

Smoke is expected to stick around through the remainder of the week.

In California, officials said wildfires are likely to grow from wind and low humidity.

The destruction wrought by a wind-driven wildfire in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles approached 156 square miles (404 square kilometers) Sunday, burning structures, homes and a nature center in a famed Southern California wildlife sanctuary in foothill desert communities, according to the Associated Press.

Help people affected by the western wildfires by visiting redcross.org, calling 800-RED CROSS or texting the words WILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

Want to help people specifically affected by the California, Oregon or Washington wildfires? Write “California Wildfires,” “Oregon Wildfires” or “Washington Wildfires” in the memo line of a check and mail it to your local Red Cross chapter with the completed donation form. For California Wildfires you can also text the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation.