605  
AEUS73 KIWX 081448  
AQAIWX  
 
AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE  
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTHERN INDIANA  
1048 AM EDT WED JUL 8 2026  
 
MIZ078-177-277-090400-  
CASS MI-NORTHERN BERRIEN-SOUTHERN BERRIEN-  
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF DOWAGIAC, CASSOPOLIS, EDWARDSBURG,  
MARCELLUS, BENTON HARBOR, ST. JOSEPH, PAW PAW LAKE, NILES,  
NEW BUFFALO, STEVENSVILLE, AND BERRIEN SPRINGS  
1048 AM EDT WED JUL 8 2026  
   
..AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT  
 
THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, GREAT LAKES, AND ENERGY  
(EGLE) HAS DECLARED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 8TH,  
FOR ELEVATED LEVELS OF OZONE 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 AND CASS  
 
WARM TEMPERATURES, AMPLE SUNLIGHT AND SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL MIX WITH  
POLLUTANTS TO PRODUCE SURFACE-LEVEL OZONE IN WEST AND SOUTHWEST  
MICHIGAN.  
 
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT, WHEN POSSIBLE, YOU AVOID STRENUOUS  
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH HEART DISEASE AND  
RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS LIKE ASTHMA. MONITOR FOR SYMPTOMS SUCH AS  
WHEEZING, COUGHING, CHEST TIGHTNESS, DIZZINESS, OR BURNING IN NOSE,  
THROAT, AND EYES.  
 
PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES ARE URGED TO AVOID ACTIVITIES WHICH LEAD TO  
OZONE FORMATION. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:  
* REFUELING VEHICLES OR TOPPING OFF WHEN REFUELING;  
* USING GASOLINE POWERED LAWN EQUIPMENT;  
* USING CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID.  
 
POSITIVE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:  
* DRIVING LESS;  
* TELECOMMUTING;  
* DELAYING OR COMBINING ERRANDS;  
 
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  
 
 
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