...AIR QUALITY ALERT SUNDAY JULY 13 THROUGH MONDAY JULY 14... The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Alert for Sunday July 13 through Monday July 14, for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5). Pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy (Red) to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) range. The alert is in effect statewide. Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to push into Michigan on Sunday, with additional plumes expected Monday. Increased fine particulate levels due to smoke are being seen Sunday morning across the Upper Peninsula into the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula. The smoke will continue tracking east and south, expanding across the rest of the state as Sunday progresses, and additional plumes are forecast to move in on Monday. The highest fine particulate concentrations will be seen in northern areas with periods of Unhealthy AQI possible. Central locations could see readings ranging from Unhealthy to USG, and southern locations can expect levels of fine particulate in the USG to Moderate range. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as 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, 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 further information, please see EPA's Air Now site for up-to- date air quality data at 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.
