Air Quality Alert

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert for Wednesday, July 15th, for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) due to wildfire smoke in parts of southern Lower Michigan. Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) range.

The Air Quality Alert is in effect for the following counties in southern Lower Michigan...

Berrien, Cass, St Joseph, Branch, and Hillsdale

Plumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires are expected to move into the region this week. The plumes will reach the upper peninsula this evening, sinking into the northern lower peninsula overnight. Models are showing the smoke plumes will reach the Michigan/ Indiana border Wednesday evening.

It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like 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,

* 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 up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPA's Air Now site: AirNow.gov

For further health information, please see MDHHS's Wildfire Smoke and You Health site: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental- health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke