Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 12:11PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued
an Air Quality Alert for July 18 and for 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 Air Quality Alert Michigan
Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Muskegon...Ottawa...Kent...Ionia...Clinton...Allegan...Barry...Eaton...
Ingham...Van Buren...Kalamazoo...Calhoun...Jackson.
Varoitus voimassa la klo 19:11 - ma klo 7:00
