Lansing, MI (WGHN) – The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued a statewide Air Quality Alert for Wednesday, July 15, as smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to impact air quality across Michigan.
Fine particulate pollution is forecast to reach levels considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, with some areas—particularly northern Michigan—potentially reaching the Unhealthy category.
Smoke is expected to move into the Upper Peninsula Tuesday evening before spreading into northern Lower Michigan overnight and reaching southern Michigan by Wednesday evening.
Health officials recommend limiting strenuous outdoor activity, especially for people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness, or irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat should reduce outdoor exposure.
Residents can also help improve air quality by avoiding outdoor burning and limiting the use of residential wood-burning devices. Households are encouraged to keep windows closed and, if possible, run central air conditioning with a MERV-13 or higher-rated filter to reduce smoke indoors.
Current air quality conditions are available through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s MiAir website and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow website.
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