With heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires choking the air, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an air quality alert for Thursday and Friday, July 16 and July 17.
The fires are creating “elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke,” states the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids.“Pollutants within those areas are expected to range from very unhealthy to hazardous.”
Michigan is under a statewide air quality alert.
“Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to drift across the region. Elevated fine particulate due to the smoke will continue through Friday.”
Smoky conditions are expected to persist into the weekend, according to EGLE. “Smoke concentrations are among the highest Michigan has experienced in recent years, exceeding the major smoke events of 2023 and 2025,” states EGLE.
“It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma,” states NWS. 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.”
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 Michigan.gov/MiAir.
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