An urgent Air Quality Alert has been issued for Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, and Monroe counties due to very unhealthy to hazardous levels of fine particulate matter from Canadian wildfire smoke, effective immediately and extending through Friday, July 17, 2026. Residents, especially those with heart or respiratory conditions, are advised to limit outdoor activities and take preventive measures to reduce indoor air pollution.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) continues the Air Quality Alert for today and extended the
Alert through Friday July 17, 2026, for elevated levels of fine
particulate due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to range
from Very Unhealthy to Hazardous.
This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert.
Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to drift across the
region today. Elevated fine particulates due to the smoke will
continue through Friday.
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 and 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
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
