Detroit, Michigan – Michigan residents from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit are under a statewide Air Quality Alert until noon Monday, as wildfire smoke from Canada drives dangerous levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across the region.
According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the alert began Saturday in the western Upper Peninsula, where the Air Quality Index has reached Very Unhealthy (Purple) levels for counties including Keweenaw, Marquette, and Gogebic. As smoke expands southeast on Sunday, Unhealthy to USG (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) conditions are expected in Midland, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Detroit.
People in impacted counties—including Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale, Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb—should avoid outdoor activities, especially those with asthma, heart, or lung conditions. Residents may notice haze, smoky odors, and symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, or burning eyes. EGLE urges Michiganders to keep windows closed, run central air with MERV-13 or better filters, and avoid outdoor burning to limit indoor smoke…