Muskegon County Emergency Management

Hazardous air quality remains in place today. Then, winds and waves increase on Saturday, creating hazardous conditions for the entire lakeshore. Winds and waves diminish Sunday, but water temperatures could fall with an offshore wind.

Residents affected by the April storms and flooding should be aware that fraud and scams can occur anytime. If your home or personal property was damaged, be careful when giving out your personal information.
📰Learn more about protecting yourself from disaster-related scams by reading the latest FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency news release in the comments section below.
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Residents affected by the April storms and flooding should be aware that fraud and scams can occur anytime. If your home or personal property was damaged, be careful when giving out your personal information.

📰Learn more about protecting yourself from disaster-related scams by reading the latest FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency news release in the comments section below.

Michigan State Police | | | | |

In addition to the high temperatures, wildfire smoke is affecting local air quality.
This negatively impacts our pet's health as well as our own.
Check our these safety tips and signs to watch out for to keep your Friend healthy!

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has prompted an air quality alert across the state today. If you're applying for FEMA disaster assistance, you don't need to go outside to visit a Michigan Disaster Recovery Center (MI DRC).
Apply from the comfort of your home at DisasterAssistance.gov. Check the comments for a link.
Michigan State Police | | | | | | | |

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has prompted an air quality alert across the state today. If you're applying for FEMA disaster assistance, you don't need to go outside to visit a Michigan Disaster Recovery Center (MI DRC).

Apply from the comfort of your home at DisasterAssistance.gov. Check the comments for a link.

Michigan State Police | | | | | | | |

July 16, 2026
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for all of Michigan to continue through Friday due to very high to hazardous levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. If possible, avoid strenuous outdoors activities, especially for those with heart disease and respiratory illnesses such as asthma. For more information, please visit the EPA’s Air Now site for up-to-date air quality data: https://www.airnow.gov

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for all of Michigan to continue through Friday due to very high to hazardous levels of fine particulate due to wildfire smoke. If possible, avoid strenuous outdoors activities, especially for those with heart disease and respiratory illnesses such as asthma. For more information, please visit the EPA’s Air Now site for up-to-date air quality data: https://www.airnow.gov

We have received some questions about how to filter this "Burnt S'mores" air. Here is a great cost effective way to make one.

BUILD DIY AIR PURIFIER USING COMMON BOX FAN AND PLEATED FILTERS Are you concerned with your indoor air quality? We will show you h...

July 15, 2026 AIR QUALITY/HEAT ALERT:

Air Quality Update
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued a Statewide Air Quality Alert for today, July 15, and tomorrow, July 16, for elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Monitor air quality at EPA AirNow.

Public Health Guidance for the Public including Sensitive Populations and Schools, Daycares, and Outdoor Activities can be found in the message below and at EH.michigan.gov/WildfireSmoke-Health.

Today/Wednesday pollutants could reach:
Western Upper Peninsula (UP): Very Unhealthy (AQI Purple).
Eastern UP and Upper Lower Peninsula (LP): Unhealthy (AQI Red)
Southern LP: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI Orange)
There is a possibility some hourly readings could reach Hazardous (AQI Maroon).

Thursday pollutants could reach:
UP: expect Very Unhealthy (AQI Purple)
Rest of the state: Unhealthy (AQI Red) for the rest of the state.
There is a possibility some hourly readings could reach Hazardous (AQI Maroon).
Heat Risk

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) indicates major (Red) heat risk throughout the Lower Peninsula. Most of the Upper Peninsula will experience moderate (Orange) heat risk. Major heat risk affects anyone without cooling/hydration. Moderate heat risk affects those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without cooling/hydration.

Monitor heat risk at NWS HeatRisk.
Recommended actions for the general population to take at the USG Air Quality Index level (Orange) include the below:

People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, those who are pregnant and children should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense.

Prevent smoke from entering homes by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV 13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.

If air quality is Unhealthy (Red): Everyone should reduce long or intense outdoor activities. People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, those who are pregnant and children are recommended to seek cleaner air indoors. N95 or P100 masks marked with "NIOSH" are recommended for children, those who are pregnant and other sensitive people while outdoors. Properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter.

If air quality is Very Unhealthy (Purple): Everyone should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and reschedule or move all outdoor activities indoors, if possible. People living with lung and heart disease, adults aged 60+, pregnant people and children are recommended to seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low.

Heat Risk: Run air conditioning. If you have a central HVAC system, find out if it has a fresh air intake. If it does, learn how to close it or turn the system to "recirculate" mode.

Heat Risk: It is okay to use window air conditioning units. They should have tight seals between the unit and the window and have a recirculation mode that prevents pulling in outside air. Learn more about adjusting your air conditioner at EPA Indoor Air Quality.

Heat Risk: Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Call or text 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a shelter or cooling center nearby. Or consider spending time in an air-conditioned public place such as a library, mall, movie theater, etc.

Recommended actions for Schools, Daycares, and other Outdoor Activities at the USG Air Quality Index level (Orange) include:

Limit time children spend outside to 30 minutes or less. Modify activities to reduce exertion and amount of inhaled smoke. Monitor for symptoms during outdoor recess and other physical activities.

Prevent smoke from entering the building by closing windows and minimizing the opening of outside doors. If HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, or if parts of the building are not served by the HVAC system, use portable air cleaners to maintain good indoor air quality.

If air quality is Unhealthy (Red): Exercise indoors or limit vigorous outdoor activities to a maximum of 15 minutes. Monitor for symptoms during outdoor recess and other physical activities. N95 or P100 masks marked with "NIOSH" are recommended for children, those who are pregnant and other sensitive people while outdoors. Properly selected KN95 and KF94 respirators also filter particulate matter.

If air quality is Very Unhealthy (Purple): Cancel all outdoor physical activities or move them inside while keeping exertion minimal. Monitor for symptoms during physical activities.
Heat Risk: If a wildfire smoke event occurs when it is hot and the building does not have an air conditioning system, take steps to reduce solar heat gain, e.g., use shades on windows.

Additional resources to help with messaging and providing guidance in your community:

People can check the air quality in their area at EPA AirNow or they can sign up to receive air quality alerts directly from EnviroFlash.

Wildfire Smoke and Our Health Fact Sheet (attached) provides information on the health effects of wildfire smoke. See translations below:

Arabic Translation/دخان حرائق الغابات وصّحتنا :الترجمة العربية.

Spanish Translation/Traduccion en Español: El Humo de los Incendios Forestales y Nuestra Salud.

Did you have damages from Aprils' severe storms and flooding?

There is help available!! Michigan Disaster Recovery Centers will open Monday across the state to connect eligible residents affected by April's severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding with federal disaster assistance.

The closest DRC center to Muskegon County is:
Inspire Church
918 Garden Avenue
Fremont, MI 49412
Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Specialists from FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will help survivors apply for financial assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster-resistant, and answer questions.

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov (Español: DisasterAssistance.gov/es), through the FEMA App, or by calling 800-621-3362.

Documentation is required to begin the FEMA IA application process. Residents need to provide proof of identification, social security number, annual household income, contact information (address, phone number and email), bank account and insurance information.

📰Read our latest news release in the comments sections to find the closest location near you.
Michigan State Police | | | | | | See less

Michigan Disaster Recovery Centers will open Monday across the state to connect eligible residents affected by April's severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding with federal disaster assistance.

Specialists from FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will help survivors apply for financial assistance, upload documents, learn about ways to make their property more disaster-resistant, and answer questions.

📰Read our latest news release in the comments sections to find the closest location near you.

Michigan State Police | | | | | |

MUSKEGON COUNTY COOLING CENTERS update 7-13-2026
(Locations may be closed during Holidays/power outages).

MADL branches are open during normal business hours. Link for hours and locations: https://www.madl.org/hours___locations/index.php

White Lake Community Library 3900 White Lake Dr, Whitehall, MI 49461
Mon-Thurs 10:00a-7:00p/Fri 10:00a-5:00p/Sat 9:00a-3:00p

Dalton Township Hall 1616 E Riley-Thompson Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445
Mon-Thurs 8:00a-5:30p, Closed Fri-Sun

Laketon Township Hall, 2735 W. Giles Rd North Muskegon, MI 49445
Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm

City of Muskegon, City Hall 933 Terrace St, Muskegon, MI 49440
Mon-Thurs 8:00a-5:30p, Closed Fri-Sun

Muskegon Charter Township Community Room (lower level)
1990 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 Drinking fountains, water bottle filling station and device charging available
Mon-Thurs 7:30a-6:00p, Closed for lunch 1:00p-1:30p.

Muskegon Rescue Mission Community Resource Center 1747 7th St (Park St Entrance), Muskegon. Everyone is welcome, water, lunch (at 12pm daily) & cool air await you!
Open Mon–Fri, 8:00a–5:00p.

Salvation Army 1221 Shonat Street, Muskegon, MI 49442
Mon-Friday 9:00a-4:00p

Viking Athletic Center 541 E. Slocum Street Whitehall, MI 49461
Open 8:00a-8:00p Mon-Fri, Check in with the front desk

City of Whitehall, 405 E Colby St., Whitehall, MI 49461
Mon-Thurs 7:30a-5:30p, Friday 8:00a-12:00p

We will coordinate any additional needs with Community Access Line of the Lakeshore. If you need help, dial 2-1-1 or 231-733-1155 or 877-211-5253 https://www.call-211.org/

Please contact 211/Muskegon County Emergency Management if your organization would like to be edited or added to our list this week. You may call us at 231.724.6341

As always, we appreciate our partners, Thank You!