Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 10:24AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for July 18 and July 19, 2026,
for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke.
Concentrations on Saturday will range from Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups (USG) in northern half of the lower peninsula to Unhealthy
across the upper peninsula. On Sunday concentrations will range from
USG across the lower peninsula to Unhealthy in the upper peninsula.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, Air Quality Alert covers the upper
peninsula, and the northern half of the lower peninsula
Sunday, July 19, 2026, will be a Statewide Air Quality Alert
Smoke has improved across the southern portion of Michigan early
Saturday; however, another plume is forecast to track through the
state Saturday, lasting into Sunday. The upper peninsula will be most
affected by the smoke on Saturday with fine particulate levels
deteriorating from north to south through Saturday. Concentrations
will be high enough across northern areas to warrant an Air Quality
Alert for Saturday, and by Sunday levels will be high enough to
warrant another statewide Alert. With smoke lingering across the
state, ozone also has the potential to increase quickly.
It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory
conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and
eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such
as:
- outdoor burning;
- use of residential wood burning devices.
Tips for households:
- Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors
and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or
higher rated filters.
For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan visit the MiAir site:
Michigan.gov/MiAir
For up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPAs Air Now site:
AirNow.gov
For further health information, please see MDHHS Wildfire Smoke and
Your Health site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-
health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke
The alert is in effect for the following Michigan counties...
Midland...Bay...Huron...Saginaw...Tuscola and Sanilac.
Varoitus voimassa la klo 17:24 - su klo 19:30
