The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert for Sunday and Monday, July 19 and 20, for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) in parts of southwest Michigan. Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) range. The Air Quality Alert is in effect for the following counties in southwest Michigan... Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale. Another smoke plume has settled over the region due to wildfires in Canada. It is expected that the increased pollution will continue into Monday; however, levels will improve during the day as winds shift to a southerly direction. With smoke lingering across the state, ozone also has the potential to increase quickly. 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: Michigan.gov/MiAir For up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPA's Air Now site: 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