The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for today July 15th, and
Thursday July 16th, 2026 for elevated levels of fine particulate due
to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups range in the south to Unhealthy in the north.
Hourly concentrations may reach Very Unhealthy to Hazardous at
times, especially north.
This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert.
Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires will move through the region
this week. The plumes have reached the upper peninsula and northern
lower peninsula, and will continue sinking through the southern
lower peninsula to the Michigan/Indiana border this evening.
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: https://michigan.gov/MiAir
For up to date air quality data nationally, visit see EPA's Air
Now site: https://www.airnow.gov
For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke
and Your Health site at
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-
health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke