The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert for Wednesday, July 15th,
for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) due to wildfire smoke
in parts of southern Lower Michigan. Pollutants within those areas
are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange
AQI) range.
The Air Quality Alert is in effect for the following counties in
southern Lower Michigan...
Berrien, Cass, St Joseph, Branch, and Hillsdale
Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires are expected to move into
the region this week. The plumes will reach the upper peninsula this
evening, sinking into the northern lower peninsula overnight. Models
are showing the smoke plumes will reach the Michigan/ Indiana border
Wednesday evening.
It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory
diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat,
and eyes.
Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,
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 EPA's Air Now site:
AirNow.gov
For further health information, please see MDHHS's Wildfire Smoke
and You Health site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-
health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke