The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for July 15 and July 16 2026, for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to range from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in the south to Unhealthy in the north. Hourly concentrations at times may reach Very Unhealthy to Hazardous. This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert. Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires will continue moving into the region this week. The plumes as of Wednesday morning have reached the Upper Peninsula, and will continue sinking south, reaching the Michigan/Indiana border Wednesday evening. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities such as outdoor burning or 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 fup-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: 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. Air Quality Alert Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy July 15 2026