{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.fde2d4c78d2162c15fc21738515a7a2d6b380e53.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 9:19AM 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.fde2d4c78d2162c15fc21738515a7a2d6b380e53.001.1","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":267,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 9:19AM 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:** 2026-07-16T09:19:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T09:19:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T12:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\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. Pollutants within those areas are expected to range from Very\nUnhealthy to Hazardous.\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\nIt is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities,\nespecially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for\nsymptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose,\nthroat, and eyes.\n\nYou can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such as:\n- outdoor burning;\n- use of residential wood burning devices.\n\nTips for households:\n- Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting\nindoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13\nor 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 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"}