Niles, MI Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON EDT
MONDAY, JULY 14TH...

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert starting midnight tonight
through Noon EDT Monday, July 14th, for elevated levels of fine
particulate (PM2.5) in parts of southwest Michigan. Pollutants within
those areas are expected to be in the USG to Unhealthy (Orange and
Red AQI) range.

The Air Quality Alert is in effect for the following counties in
southwest Michigan...

Berrien, Cass, St Joseph, Branch, and Hillsdale

Wildfire smoke from Canada will push into Michigan from Saturday to
Monday. Increased fine particulate levels will reach the western
portion of the Upper Peninsula on Saturday afternoon. The smoke will
push east and south, expanding across the rest of the state as Sunday
progresses. Highest concentrations will be seen in northern parts of
the state, but southwest Michigan can expect levels of fine
particulate in the Moderate to USG range.

It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory
diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat,
and eyes.

Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,
such as:
* outdoor burning,
* use of residential wood burning devices.

Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke
from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning
with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.

For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan visit the MiAir site:
https://air-egle.hub.arcgis.com/

For up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPA's Air Now site:
https://www.airnow.gov/

For further health information, please see MDHHS's Wildfire Smoke
and You Health site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-
health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke