Air Quality Alert
ILZ005-006-012-013-020-021-103>108-190515-
McHenry-Lake IL-Kane-DuPage-Kendall-Grundy-Northern Cook-
Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-Southern Will-Eastern Will-
Including the cities of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock,
Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, Aurora, Elgin,
Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Oswego,
Yorkville, Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Evanston, Des Plaines,
Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn,
Oak Park, La Grange, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park,
Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon,
Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, and Beecher
1213 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT...
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the
"Air Pollution Action Day" designation will remain in effect for the
greater Chicago Metropolitan Area through midnight CDT tonight.
A Chicago area "Air Pollution Action Day" is declared when weather
conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels
are expected to be at or above the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
(USG) category of the Air Quality Index (AQI) for multiple days.
Ozone is expected to be the primary pollutant of concern although
smoke/PM2.5 may also become a concern later in the work week.
Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or
respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor
activity.
Area residents are urged to reduce pollution levels. Air quality
forecasts, current air quality, and tips on how you can reduce your
emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov
Media Contact...Illinois EPA
$$
INZ001-002-010-011-190515-
Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-
Including the cities of Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage,
Valparaiso, Chesterton, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer,
and DeMotte
1213 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT MONDAY NIGHT...
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect until midnight
CDT Monday night.
An Air Quality Action Day for ozone and PM 2.5 has been issued. A
combination of fine particulate and ozone levels are expected to be
in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and
adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should
limit prolonged outdoor exposure.
Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM2.5 readings
in the area, recommendations are for the public to avoid or limit
outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion or heavy
work outdoors and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/
$$
INZ019-190515-
Benton-
Including the cities of Fowler and Oxford
113 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM SUNDAY TO 1 AM EDT
TUESDAY...
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day for Sunday and Monday.
An Air Quality Action Day for smoke has been issued. Smoke levels
are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease,
such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure.
Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM2.5 readings
in the area, recommendations are for the public to avoid or limit
outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion or heavy
work outdoors and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/
$$
MIZ050-056>059-064>067-071>074-200400-
Muskegon-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton-Ingham-
Van Buren-Kalamazoo-Calhoun-Jackson-
Including the cities of Muskegon, Grand Haven, Jenison,
Grand Rapids, Ionia, St. Johns, Holland, Hastings, Charlotte,
Lansing, South Haven, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Jackson
1211 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...Air Quality Alert in effect Sunday July 19th...
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued
an Air Quality Alert for July 18 and for July 19, 2026, for elevated
levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. Concentrations on
Saturday will range from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) in
northern half of the lower peninsula to Unhealthy across the upper
peninsula. On Sunday concentrations will range from USG across the
lower peninsula to Unhealthy in the upper peninsula.
Saturday, July 18, 2026, Air Quality Alert covers the upper peninsula, and the
northern half of the lower peninsula
Sunday, July 19, 2026, will be a Statewide Air Quality Alert
Smoke has improved across the southern portion of Michigan early Saturday; however,
another plume is forecast to track through the state Saturday, lasting into Sunday. The
upper peninsula will be most affected by the smoke on Saturday with fine particulate
levels deteriorating from north to south through Saturday. Concentrations will be high
enough across northern areas to warrant an Air Quality Alert for Saturday, and by
Sunday levels will be high enough to warrant another statewide Alert. 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 conditions like asthma. Watch for
symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose,
throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting
activities, 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 EPAs Air Now site:
AirNow.gov
For further health information, please see MDHHS Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-
health/your-health- and-wildfire-smoke Air Quality Alert Michigan
Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Muskegon...Ottawa...Kent...Ionia...Clinton...Allegan...Barry...Eaton...
Ingham...Van Buren...Kalamazoo...Calhoun...Jackson.
$$
MIZ078>081-177-277-200400-
Cass MI-St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale-Northern Berrien-
Southern Berrien-
Including the cities of Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg,
Marcellus, Sturgis, Three Rivers, White Pigeon, Mendon, Coldwater,
Bronson, Hillsdale, Jonesville, Litchfield, Benton Harbor,
St. Joseph, Paw Paw Lake, Niles, New Buffalo, Stevensville,
and Berrien Springs
1044 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR SUNDAY JULY 19...
The Air Quality Alert for today, Saturday July 18th - has been
cancelled for the counties of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch and
Hillsdale.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert for Sunday July 19, 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.
Smoke has improved across the southern portion of Michigan this
morning. However, another plume is forecasted to move from north to
south across the state later today through Sunday. Concentration
levels will be high enough to warrant a statewide alert.
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
$$
WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-201700-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
Including the cities of Montello, Westfield, Oxford, Neshkoro,
Endeavor, Berlin, Princeton, Markesan, Fond Du Lac, Plymouth,
Sheboygan Falls, Howards Grove, Oostburg, Baraboo, Reedsburg,
Prairie Du Sac, Sauk City, Portage, Columbus, Lake Wisconsin,
Lodi, Beaver Dam, Waupun, Mayville, West Bend, Germantown,
Hartford, Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Dodgeville, Mineral Point,
Barneveld, Madison, Watertown, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson,
Waukesha, Brookfield, New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Muskego,
Milwaukee, Darlington, Shullsburg, Benton, Belmont, Argyle,
Blanchardville, Monroe, Brodhead, Janesville, Beloit, Whitewater,
Delavan, Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, East Troy, Racine, and Kenosha
941 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air
Quality Advisory for the following counties: Columbia, Dane,
Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha,
Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk,
Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha.
WHAT...The PM2.5 AQI is expected to reach the Very Unhealthy
(Purple) to Unhealthy (Red) level.
WHERE...Statewide.
WHEN...Until noon Monday.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions:
For Very Unhealthy (Purple) AQI:
Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Reschedule to a time when air quality is better or move
activities indoors.
People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep
quick-relief medicine handy.
People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations,
shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious
problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care
provider.
Everyone else: Limit outdoor physical activity. Go indoors if you
have symptoms.
For Unhealthy (Red) AQI:
Sensitive groups: Consider rescheduling or moving all activities
inside. Go inside if you have symptoms.
People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep
quick-relief medicine handy.
People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations,
shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious
problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care
provider.
Everyone else: Keep outdoor activities shorter and less intense.
Go inside if you have symptoms.
Additional Details:
Another round of smoke will move in from the north-northeast
throughout the day on Saturday before settling over the state on
Sunday. Most areas are expected to observe Unhealthy (Red) AQI
PM2.5, with the heaviest impacts to the northeast where Very
Unhealthy (Purple) AQI PM2.5 will be possible. Some areas to the
southwest may only experience Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
(Orange) AQI PM2.5. This round of smoke may not reach the
southwestern half of the state before sunset Saturday, meaning
the smoke will arrive overnight, with statewide impacts expected
by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.
For more information on current air quality, please see:
https://airquality.wi.gov
$$
Sheppard
INZ021-028>031-035>049-051>057-060-062>065-182100-
Carroll-Warren-Tippecanoe-Clinton-Howard-Fountain-Montgomery-Boone-
Tipton-Hamilton-Madison-Delaware-Randolph-Vermillion-Parke-Putnam-
Hendricks-Marion-Hancock-Henry-Vigo-Clay-Owen-Morgan-Johnson-Shelby-
Rush-Sullivan-Monroe-Brown-Bartholomew-Decatur-
Including the cities of Delphi, Flora, Williamsport, West Lebanon,
Lafayette, West Lafayette, Frankfort, Kokomo, Attica, Covington,
Veedersburg, Crawfordsville, Lebanon, Zionsville, Tipton, Fishers,
Carmel, Noblesville, Anderson, Muncie, Winchester, Union City,
Farmland, Parker City, Clinton, Fairview Park, Rockville, Montezuma,
Rosedale, Greencastle, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Danville,
Indianapolis, Greenfield, New Castle, Terre Haute, Brazil, Spencer,
Gosport, Martinsville, Mooresville, Greenwood, Franklin,
Shelbyville, Rushville, Sullivan, Carlisle, Shelburn, Farmersburg,
Bloomington, Nashville, Columbus, and Greensburg
312 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EDT
MONDAY NIGHT...
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT
TONIGHT TO MIDNIGHT EDT MONDAY NIGHT.
An Air Quality Action Day for PM 2.5 has been issued. Fine
particulate levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with
respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor
exposure.
Here are some recommended actions that the public can take:
* Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM 2.5
values in the area, recommendations are for the public to avoid or
limit outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion
or heavy work outdoors, and keep windows and doors closed as much
as possible.
For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/
$$
INZ005>009-012>015-017-018-022>027-032>034-104-116-204-216-190400-
Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Starke-Pulaski-Marshall-
Fulton IN-Whitley-Allen IN-Cass IN-Miami-Wabash-Huntington-Wells-
Adams-Grant-Blackford-Jay-Eastern St. Joseph IN-Northern Kosciusko-
Western St. Joseph IN-Southern Kosciusko-
Including the cities of Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Lagrange, Topeka,
Shipshewana, Angola, Fremont, Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion,
Auburn, Garrett, Knox, North Judson, Bass Lake, Winamac,
Francesville, Medaryville, Plymouth, Bremen, Culver, Rochester,
Akron, Columbia City, Tri-Lakes, South Whitley, Fort Wayne,
New Haven, Logansport, Royal Center, Peru, Grissom AFB, Mexico,
Wabash, North Manchester, Huntington, Roanoke, Bluffton, Ossian,
Decatur, Berne, Marion, Gas City, Upland, Hartford City, Montpelier,
Portland, Dunkirk, South Bend, Mishawaka, Lakeville, Granger,
Syracuse, Milford, North Webster, Leesburg, North Liberty,
New Carlisle, Walkerton, Warsaw, Winona Lake, Silver Lake,
and Mentone
933 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026 /833 PM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026/
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT MONDAY NIGHT...
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect from Friday
through Monday.
Heavy smoke is lingering for the northern half of Indiana currently
divided by a stationary front. The front will lift north later Friday
providing a brief break in levels before a system late Saturday
will bring another round of smoke. High pressure in place Sunday
and Monday will recirculate the smoke over most of the state with the
primary concern remaining the northern half of Indiana. This smoke,
in addition to the other meteorological factors such as light
winds and predicted flow from the north, will produce high PM2.5
readings.
- Friday: Very Unhealthy conditions for Northeast and North Central
Indiana.
- Saturday: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) conditions for
Northeast and North Central Indiana.
- Sunday: Unhealthy conditions for Northeast and North Central Indiana.
- Monday: Unhealthy conditions for Northeast and North Central Indiana.
Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM2.5 readings
in the area, recommendations are for the pubic to avoid or limit
outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion or heavy
work outdoors and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/
$$
INZ020-190400-
White-
Including the cities of Monticello, Monon, and Brookston
933 PM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT MONDAY NIGHT...
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect from Friday
through Monday.
Heavy smoke is lingering for the northern half of Indiana currently
divided by a stationary front. The front will lift north later Friday
providing a brief break in levels before a system late Saturday
will bring another round of smoke. High pressure in place Sunday
and Monday will recirculate the smoke over most of the state with the
primary concern remaining the northern half of Indiana. This smoke,
in addition to the other meteorological factors such as light
winds and predicted flow from the north, will produce high PM2.5
readings. This will produce high PM2.5 readings into the Unhealthy
for Sensitive Groups (USG) for West Central Indiana, which includes
White County.
Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM2.5 readings
in the area, recommendations are for the pubic to avoid or limit
outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion or heavy
work outdoors and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/
$$
INZ103-203-190400-
Northern La Porte-Southern La Porte-
Including the cities of Michigan City, La Porte, Kingsbury,
Fish Lake, Wanatah, La Crosse, and Union Mills
833 PM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT MONDAY EVENING...
The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect from Friday
through Monday.
Heavy smoke is lingering for the northern half of Indiana currently
divided by a stationary front. The front will lift north later Friday
providing a brief break in levels before a system late Saturday
will bring another round of smoke. High pressure in place Sunday
and Monday will recirculate the smoke over most of the state with the
primary concern remaining the northern half of Indiana. This smoke,
in addition to the other meteorological factors such as light
winds and predicted flow from the north, will produce high PM2.5
readings.
- Friday: Very Unhealthy conditions for Northwest Indiana.
- Saturday: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) conditions for
Northwest Indiana.
- Sunday: Unhealthy conditions for Northwest Indiana.
- Monday: Unhealthy conditions for Northwest Indiana
Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM2.5 readings
in the area, recommendations are for the pubic to avoid or limit
outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion or heavy
work outdoors and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/
$$
