An air quality advisory is in effect for Southeast Michigan as smoke from the Canadian wildfires continues to move into the state.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issued an air quality advisory for Thursday, June 5, through noon on Friday, June 6, due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter from the smoke.
The advisory is in effect for Bay, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
During this time, people are urged to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep windows closed overnight and run central air conditioners with high-rate filters, according to the National Weather Service.
Residents should monitor for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness or burning in the nose, throat and eyes.
To sign up for air quality alerts from EGLE, visit here. For more information about other air quality advisories and alerts in Michigan, visit here.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Advisory for all of SE MI through noon Friday for elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) due to wildfire smoke. #miwx pic.twitter.com/Tn522iE47q
— NWS Detroit (@NWSDetroit) June 5, 2025
What to know about the Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded tool used to indicate air pollution levels, with higher values indicating poorer air quality.
Difference between advisory and alert
Here’s the difference between an air quality alert and an advisory:
- An advisory is issued when multiple air quality monitors are expected to reach or exceed the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) threshold, marked by an Orange AQI.
- An alert is issued when multiple monitors are predicted to reach or exceed the Unhealthy threshold, covering the Red (unhealthy), Purple (very unhealthy) and Maroon (hazardous) AQI levels.