{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.a3dda3a606964bca59fecaaf1806a0dedaf64aeb.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 10:44AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-18","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.a3dda3a606964bca59fecaaf1806a0dedaf64aeb.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Northern Indiana"},"word_count":296,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 18 at 10:44AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Cass; St. Joseph; Branch; Hillsdale; Northern Berrien; Southern Berrien\n**Issued by:** NWS Northern Indiana\n**Sent:** 2026-07-18T10:44:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-18T10:44:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-20T00:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\nThe Air Quality Alert for today, Saturday July 18th - has been\ncancelled for the counties of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch and\nHillsdale.\n\nThe Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy\n(EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert for Sunday July 19, for\nelevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) in parts of southwest\nMichigan. Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the\nUnhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) range.\n\nThe Air Quality Alert is in effect for the following counties in\nsouthwest Michigan...\n\nBerrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale.\n\nSmoke has improved across the southern portion of Michigan this\nmorning. However, another plume is forecasted to move from north to\nsouth across the state later today through Sunday. Concentration\nlevels will be high enough to warrant a statewide alert.\n\nIt is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor\nactivities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory\ndiseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing,\ncoughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat,\nand eyes.\n\nReduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,\nsuch as:\n* outdoor burning,\n* use of residential wood burning devices.\n\nTips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke\nfrom getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning\nwith MERV-13 or higher rated filters.\n\nFor up-to-date air quality data for Michigan visit the MiAir site:\nMichigan.gov/MiAir\n\nFor up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPA's Air Now site:\nAirNow.gov\n\nFor further health information, please see MDHHS's Wildfire Smoke\nand You Health site:\nhttps://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-\nhealth/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke"}