Air Quality Advisory for July 16, 2025

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and
Energy (EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Advisory for July
16 for elevated levels of ozone in several western lake shore
counties.

Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) range.

The Air Quality Advisory is in effect for the following
Michigan counties:

Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Van Buren

As wildfire smoke exits the region, leftover chemical precursors
are present which could trigger elevated ozone levels.  Original
forecasts of early cloud cover during Wednesday now look less
likely as projected West Michigan lake dynamics look to delay the
cloud arrival.

Minus the cloud coverage, elements such as wind direction,
temperature, dew points, and upper air conditions all point towards
the likelihood that elevated ozone concentrations, in the USG range,
could occur throughout those counties.

It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, especially those with respiratory diseases such as asthma.

People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which can lead to
ozone formation.

These activities include: refueling vehicles or topping off when
refueling; using gasoline powered lawn equipment; using charcoal
lighter fluid.

Positive activities include: driving less; telecommuting; walking or
bike riding; delaying or combining errands; using water-based
paints.

For further information, please see EPAs Air Now site for up-to-date
air quality data: https://www.airnow.gov/