As the summer of 2025 unfolds, Michigan is facing air quality challenges reminiscent of the smoky summer of 2023.
In 2023, Michigan dealt with persistent air quality problems due to wildfire smoke, leading to 31 air quality alerts. This year, EGLE has already issued advisories on 27 days and alerts on 4 days.
Recommended Videos
To help residents stay informed and safe, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has rolled out a new webpage packed with resources and information on dealing with wildfire smoke.
This resource hub offers insights into EGLE’s response strategies and guides residents on how to participate in data collection using personal air quality sensors.
Additionally, it links to the Department of Health and Human Services’ “Your Health and Wildfire Smoke” page for further guidance.
The state’s three meteorologists play a crucial role in forecasting air quality and issuing advisories and alerts.
Their forecasts, which are shared with the National Weather Service and media outlets, are also accessible through weather apps on smartphones.
Advisories are issued when ozone or PM2.5 levels are “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while alerts are triggered when levels reach “unhealthy,” “very unhealthy,” or “hazardous.”
The new webpage also features a video titled “Don’t just check the weather – check the air,” where EGLE meteorologists explain the differences between advisories and alerts, along with the Air Quality Index (AQI).