07/16/2026
Solon Township,
With the current wildfires in Canada and the current intense heat, the State of Michigan has put out the following information.
Air Quality Update
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued a Statewide Air Quality Alert for today, July 15, and tomorrow, July 16, for elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Monitor air quality at EPA AirNow.
Public Health Guidance for the Public including Sensitive Populations and Schools, Daycares, and Outdoor Activities can be found in the message below and at EH.michigan.gov/WildfireSmoke-Health.
Today/Wednesday pollutants could reach:
Western Upper Peninsula (UP): Very Unhealthy (AQI Purple).
Eastern UP and Upper Lower Peninsula (LP): Unhealthy (AQI Red)
Southern LP: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI Orange)
There is a possibility some hourly readings could reach Hazardous (AQI Maroon).
Thursday pollutants could reach:
UP: expect Very Unhealthy (AQI Purple)
Rest of the state: Unhealthy (AQI Red) for the rest of the state.
There is a possibility some hourly readings could reach Hazardous (AQI Maroon).
Heat Risk
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) indicates major (Red) heat risk throughout the Lower Peninsula. Most of the Upper Peninsula will experience moderate (Orange) heat risk. Major heat risk affects anyone without cooling/hydration. Moderate heat risk affects those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without cooling/hydration.
Monitor heat risk at NWS HeatRisk.
Recommended actions for the general population to take at the USG Air Quality Index level (Orange) include the below:
People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, those who are pregnant and children should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense.
Prevent smoke from entering homes by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV 13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.
If air quality is Unhealthy (Red): Everyone should reduce long or intense outdoor activities. People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, those who are pregnant and children are recommended to seek cleaner air indoors. N95 or P100 masks marked with "NIOSH" are recommended for children, those who are pregnant and other sensitive people while outdoors. Properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter.
If air quality is Very Unhealthy (Purple): Everyone should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and reschedule or move all outdoor activities indoors, if possible. People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, pregnant people and children are recommended to seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low.
Heat Risk: Run air conditioning. If you have a central HVAC system, find out if it has a fresh air intake. If it does, learn how to close it or turn the system to "recirculate" mode.
Heat Risk: It is okay to use window air conditioning units. They should have tight seals between the unit and the window and have a recirculation mode that prevents pulling in outside air. Learn more about adjusting your air conditioner at EPA Indoor Air Quality.
Heat Risk: Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Call or text 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a shelter or cooling center nearby. Or consider spending time in an air-conditioned public place such as a library, mall, movie theater, etc.
Recommended actions for Schools, Daycares, and other Outdoor Activities at the USG Air Quality Index level (Orange) include:
Limit time children spend outside to 30 minutes or less. Modify activities to reduce exertion and amount of inhaled smoke. Monitor for symptoms during outdoor recess and other physical activities.
Prevent smoke from entering the building by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, or if parts of the building are not served by the HVAC system, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.
If air quality is Unhealthy (Red): Exercise indoors or limit vigorous outdoor activities to a maximum of 15 minutes. Monitor for symptoms during outdoor recess and other physical activities. N95 or P100 masks marked with "NIOSH" are recommended for children, those who are pregnant and other sensitive people while outdoors. Properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter.
If air quality is Very Unhealthy (Purple): Cancel all outdoor physical activities or move them inside while keeping exertion minimal. Monitor for symptoms during physical activities.
Heat Risk: If a wildfire smoke event occurs when it is hot and the building does not have an air conditioning system, take steps to reduce solar heat gain, e.g., use shades on windows.
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