Air Quality Alert Issued 9:11AM for Washtenaw County, MI

An Air Quality Alert has been issued for areas including Midland, Bay, Huron, and several surrounding counties from July 19 to July 20, 2026, due to elevated fine particulate levels from wildfire smoke, posing risks especially to sensitive groups. Residents are advised to minimize outdoor activities, especially those with respiratory conditions, and take measures to reduce smoke exposure indoors.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has
issued an Air Quality Alert for July 19 and July 20, 2026, for elevated
levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Concentrations on
Sunday will range from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) in the lower
peninsula to Unhealthy across the upper peninsula. On Monday USG
concentrations are expected statewide.

This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert.

Another smoke plume has settled over the region due to wildfires in Canada.
The highest levels of fine particulate will be across the upper peninsula
on Sunday. We expect the increased pollution to continue into Monday;
however, levels will improve during the day as our winds shift to a
southerly direction. 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…Sanilac…Shiawassee…
Genesee…Lapeer…St. Clair…Livingston…Oakland…Macomb…
Washtenaw…Wayne…Lenawee and Monroe.

View Washtenaw County Forecast