Mayor Sheffield, Detroit health chief addresses wildfire smoke threat
Update comes as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to pose health risks across the region
Published: July 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Updated: July 17, 2026 at 11:14 AM
DETROIT – Mayor Mary Sheffield, along with Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed and other key city officials, held a press conference Friday, July 17, to update the public on Detroit’s response to air quality hazards caused by ongoing Canadian wildfires
—>Wildfire Smoke Continues to Impact Metro Detroit; Severe Storm Risk Returns Saturday
Air quality in parts of Detroit reached extremely hazardous levels Wednesday, with Air Quality Index readings above 600 in some areas. At those levels, wildfire smoke poses a serious public health threat, causing eye and respiratory irritation and increasing the risk of asthma attacks, heart and lung complications and other serious health effects
Older adults, pregnant people, infants, children, outdoor workers and residents with heart or lung conditions face heightened risk. In response, Sheffield directed the distribution of masks, emergency health alerts and limits on outdoor work for city employees
Health officials urge residents to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and move all physical activities inside due to poor air quality
The full press conference can be watched in the video player above
Those who must go outside are urged to wear properly fitted N95 or KN95 masks
Mayor Sheffield authorized the emergency purchase of 112,000 masks, which are being distributed at recreation centers and on the DDOT bus system
—>Stay inside: What to know about Michigan’s Air Quality Alert
Sheffield directed that administrative office workers may work from home Friday, July 17
Services normally based at the Coleman Young Municipal Center will be closed to the public
Full on-site city services are expected to resume Monday, July 20
City staff are expected to monitor and respond to voicemails and emails and conduct meetings virtually
While in-person services won’t be available Friday, many city services — including tax and fee payments and permit applications — are available on the city’s website
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