The Lifeguards at Silver Beach County Park are going off duty.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy declared Wednesday that due to pollutants in the air caused by Canadian wildfire smoke, the Air Quality Index is expected to range from the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy range with some hourly concentrations reaching the Very Unhealthy range.
Silver Beach County Park’s Facebook page said the situation is adversely affecting park staff, and they will be taking the rest of the day off.
EGLE has declared an action day in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, and Hillsdale counties in Michigan. They say sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease, asthma, heart disease, and children and older adults, should limit prolonged and heavy exertion.
EGLE recommends reducing or eliminating activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Keep windows closed overnight to keep smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.
For further information, please see the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Air Quality page on the internet at http://www.deqmiair.org/
In the absence of lifeguards, county authorities say to stay aware of changing conditions when playing in Lake Michigan, never swim alone, wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket and watch children closely at all times.
