{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.ce41d9354b0c645d3ef91158eebb2551e351af8d.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 11:58AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.ce41d9354b0c645d3ef91158eebb2551e351af8d.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Grand Rapids MI"},"word_count":324,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 11:58AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Mason; Lake; Osceola; Clare; Oceana; Newaygo; Mecosta; Isabella; Muskegon; Montcalm; Gratiot; Ottawa; Kent; Ionia; Clinton; Allegan; Barry; Eaton; Ingham; Van Buren; Kalamazoo; Calhoun; Jackson\n**Issued by:** NWS Grand Rapids MI\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T11:58:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T11:58:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T12:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\nUpdates are for Hazardous levels statewide and additional health actions\nindividuals should take.\n\nThe Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued\nan Air Quality Alert for July 16 and July 17, 2026, for elevated levels of fine particulate\ndue to wildfire smoke. Concentrations will be in the Hazardous range.\n\nThis is a Statewide Air Quality Alert\n\nPlumes of smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to drift across the region. Elevated\nfine particulate due to the smoke will continue through Friday.\n\nEveryone should seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low. While indoors,\ntake action to improve the indoor air quality such as:\n- closing windows and minimize opening of doors\n- if HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher,\nuse portable air cleaners\n- avoid activities that make indoor air quality worse: burning\ncandles, using vacuums without a HEPA filter, using gas stoves more\nthan necessary, smoking, spraying aerosol products.\n\nIf you must be outdoors for short periods of time:\n- Wear an N95 or P100 respirator marked with NIOSH. The respirator\nshould fit tightly, collapse as you breathe in and not let air in\nfrom the sides. Instructions for fitting a respirator mask properly\ncan be found at:\nhttps://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/documents/respiratory_protection-\nno-niosh-5081.pdf\n- Do not use masks for children under age 2.\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 EPAs Air Now site:\nAirNow.gov\n\nFor further health information, please see MDHHS Wildfire Smoke and Your Health\nsite:\nhttps://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/your-health-\nand-wildfire-smoke\n\nAir Quality Alert\nMichigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy\nJuly 16, 2026"}