953
AEUS73 KIWX 191301
AQAIWX
AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA
901 AM EDT SUN JUL 19 2026
MIZ078>081-177-277-210415-
CASS MI-ST. JOSEPH MI-BRANCH-HILLSDALE-NORTHERN BERRIEN-
SOUTHERN BERRIEN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF DOWAGIAC, CASSOPOLIS, EDWARDSBURG,
MARCELLUS, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, WHITE PIGEON, MENDON, COLDWATER,
BRONSON, HILLSDALE, JONESVILLE, LITCHFIELD, BENTON HARBOR,
ST. JOSEPH, PAW PAW LAKE, NILES, NEW BUFFALO, STEVENSVILLE,
AND BERRIEN SPRINGS
901 AM EDT SUN JUL 19 2026
..AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT MONDAY NIGHT
THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY
(EGLE) HAS DECLARED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR SUNDAY AND MONDAY,
JULY 19 AND 20, FOR ELEVATED LEVELS OF FINE PARTICULATE (PM2.5) IN
PARTS OF SOUTHWEST 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
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN...
BERRIEN, CASS, ST. JOSEPH, BRANCH AND HILLSDALE.
ANOTHER SMOKE PLUME HAS SETTLED OVER THE REGION DUE TO WILDFIRES
IN CANADA. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE INCREASED POLLUTION WILL CONTINUE
INTO MONDAY; HOWEVER, LEVELS WILL IMPROVE DURING THE DAY AS WINDS
SHIFT TO A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. WITH SMOKE LINGERING ACROSS THE
STATE, OZONE ALSO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE QUICKLY.
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
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