Detroit, Michigan – Wildfire smoke from Canada continues to blanket Detroit and much of southeast Michigan, prompting a statewide Air Quality Advisory through Saturday, August 2. Residents in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and surrounding counties are urged to limit outdoor activities as PM2.5 particle levels climb into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range, with some spots reaching even higher.
According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), fine particulate pollution is expected to remain elevated until at least Saturday night. The advisory affects Metro Detroit, Bay City, Saginaw, Flint, Ann Arbor, and other cities as high pressure keeps smoke trapped near the ground. Sensitive groups—including children, seniors, and anyone with heart or lung disease—should stay indoors and monitor for symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, or dizziness.
Health officials recommend closing windows overnight and running central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher-rated filters. Avoid burning outdoors and cut back on any activity that could worsen air pollution. While a brief improvement in air quality may occur Friday, additional smoke plumes are forecasted to keep conditions poor through the weekend.
Air quality alerts may extend if wildfire smoke persists. For real-time updates, check the MIAir or AirNow sites and prepare for changing conditions into next week.
