...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY... An Air Quality Advisory from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality remains in effect through Sunday August 3, for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5). Pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range.....with some areas reaching the Unhealthy range. The advisory is in effect for the following Michigan counties: Chippewa, Mackinac, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin, and Arenac. Canadian wildfire smoke has overspread northern Michigan and is expected to persist through at least Sunday. High pressure over the Midwest will continue to funnel wildfire smoke into the state with little to no dispersion expected due to stagnant conditions. 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.
