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Washtenaw: Dangerous air quality, stay indoors if possible

Current air quality categories across southern Michigan. From www.airnow.gov.

From Washtenaw County:

Air quality across Southeast Michigan has deteriorated significantly due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. An air quality alert remains in effect for all of Michigan through Friday, July 17.

As of 9am on July 16^th, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Ann Arbor area reached approximately 405, which falls within the “Hazardous for everyone” category. We recommend that you enter your zip code into  to determine your specific location air quality. Air quality conditions may fluctuate throughout the day as smoke concentrations shift, but current forecasts indicate these conditions are likely to persist through today and potentially into tomorrow.

At the current AQI level, everyone, not just those with underlying health conditions, may experience health effects from prolonged outdoor exposure.

The public is encouraged to:

• Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Use air conditioning with high-efficiency filtration if available.
• Watch for symptoms related to smoke exposure such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, or unusual fatigue.
• Individuals with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions should follow their healthcare provider recommendations and keep necessary medications readily available.

For comprehensive information and guidance on how to stay safe during this time, please visit the

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.