MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an air quality alert through today for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5). Pollutants are expected to be in the unhealthy (red AQI) to USG (orange AQI) range.

The alert is in effect for the following Upper Peninsula counties: Keweenaw, Menominee, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, Baraga, Schoolcraft, Ontonagon, Delta, Gogebic, Luce and Alger.

It is recommended that residents avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as 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, and use of residential wood burning devices.

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 at air-egle.hub.arcgis.com.