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Air Quality Alerts

AQI Meter
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Air Quality Alerts

Our meteorologists call Air Quality Alert Days to protect you. These days are important for everyone, but especially for people with breathing problems like asthma as well as the elderly or young children. 

A complete list of health recommendations from the Department of Health and Human services.

Check the Air Quality Index daily on your weather app by visiting EGLE’s MiAir or the AirNow.gov web sites. During Air Quality Alerts, ozone or fine particulate levels may be harmful for your health.   

What is an Air Quality Alert?

 

Types of Air Quality Alerts

A blazing orange sunrise struggling to be seen through thick layers of wildfire smoke
    • Keep windows closed to prevent smoke from getting indoors 
    • if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. 
    • Limit outdoor burning and use of residential woodstoves
    • Close windows and minimize door opening
    • Keep activity levels low
    • Use portable air cleaners if HVAC doesn’t have MERV‑13 filters or higher
    • Avoid indoor pollution sources:
      • Burning candles
      • Vacuums without HEPA filters
      • Excessive use of gas stoves
      • Smoking
      • Aerosol sprays
Graphic showing ozone formation process
  • Limit or avoid strenuous activity, such as:

    • Yardwork
    • Playing sports
  • Avoid gasoline-related activities, such as:

    • Mowing your lawn
    • Using gasoline powered lawn equipment
    • Filling up your tank or topping off fuel tank
    • Idling your car
  • Avoid grilling and other outdoor burning, including:

    • Bonfires
    • Cooking on charcoal or propane grills
    • using charcoal lighter fluid
  • Avoid activities that worsen indoor air quality, such as:

    • Burning candles
    • Smoking
    • Using gas, propane, or wood-burning stoves

Stay informed

These resources provide current air quality conditions and AQI ratings for cities and communities throughout the state.

  • Sign up for air quality alerts

  • Understand the Air Quality Index (AQI)

  • MiAir, Michigan's real-time air quality map

  • Air Quality Alert Program Report

    2023 to Date

Learn about why we call for Air Quality Action Days to protect you! These Action days occur when pollutants in the air, such as ground level ozone and dust, or particulate, can make breathing difficult for some people. Air Quality Action Days are important for everyone to pay attention to, but especially people with breathing problems like asthma, as well as the elderly or young children.

Take action during Air Quality Alerts in 60 seconds

Take 60 seconds to learn about Air Quality Alerts, including what causes them and what you can should avoid doing during the hottest parts of the day.

  • A street-level view of the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing with smoky air and a warm orange hue from wildfire smoke

    Part of our learn about air quality series

    Air quality affects the environment and your overall health in countless ways.

    Find information about quality issues in Michigan, including air quality related actions open for input from the public.

    Learn more about air quality

The relationship between Air Quality Action Days, Ozone Action Days, and Clean Air Action Days

You may be more familiar with Ozone Action Days, which is an older term for Air Quality Action Days. This name was updated to include other fine particulate matter pollution (such as wildfire smoke) as well as ozone. For a period, Air Quality Action Days were also called Clean Air Action Days, though that term has also been retired.