Air quality alerts updated for Thursday, issued for Friday as wildfire smoke returns to Michiana

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(WNDU) - The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has updated its Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, July 16, and issued a new one for Friday, July 17, across the Michiana area as wildfire smoke continues to affect the region.

IDEM officials said fine particulate matter levels for Thursday, July 16, are expected to be in the “Very Unhealthy,” or “Purple,” range. Ozone levels for Thursday are expected to be in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” or “Orange,” range.

"Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the... — "Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality."(IDEM)

Affected communities

The alert covers Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, LaGrange, LaPorte, Michigan City, Plymouth, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and surrounding areas.

Communities along and north of the U.S. 20 Bypass in Indiana and into southwest Michigan are expected to experience the worst impacts.

Friday alert

IDEM has also issued an Air Quality Action Day for Friday, July 17, with particulate matter levels expected to be in the “Unhealthy,” or “Red,” range in the same areas.

Michigan alerts

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued a statewide air quality alert for Thursday, July 16, through Friday, July 17, 2026, also due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke.

Recommended steps

WNDU’s First Alert Weather team recommends the following during the alert period:

Keep windows and doors closed
Use air conditioning or air purifiers if available
Wear an N95 mask if you must go outside
Turn on your car’s air recirculation button
Check air quality updates throughout the day
Keep medications for asthma or other respiratory conditions nearby

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