The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for today July 15th, and Thursday July 16th, 2026 for elevated levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range in the south to Unhealthy in the north. Hourly concentrations may reach Very Unhealthy to Hazardous at times, especially north. This is a Statewide Air Quality Alert. Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires will move through the region this week. The plumes have reached the upper peninsula and northern lower peninsula, and will continue sinking through the southern lower peninsula to the Michigan/Indiana border this 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 nose, throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such as outdoor burning and 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: https://michigan.gov/MiAir For up to date air quality data nationally, visit see 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