Michigan Unknown Air Quality Alert | Effective 07/18/2026 09:11

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 Air Quality Alert Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy The alert is in effect for the following Michigan counties... Mason...Lake...Osceola...Clare...Oceana...Newaygo...Mecosta... Isabella...Montcalm...Gratiot.