Air quality alert continues through Monday evening, higher concern for northern Minn.
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An air quality alert is in effect for almost all of Minnesota and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac. The alert is expected to last until 6 p.m. on Monday.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, fine particle levels caused by large wildfires from Manitoba and Saskatchewan will push the air quality index to the red category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across the northern half of Minnesota. The warning includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac.
In the red areas, sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease and children and older adults may experience health impacts. Experts recommend everyone avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outside.
They also recommend reducing or avoiding activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning. Reduce vehicle trips or idling as much as possible and keep windows closed overnight to limit smoke getting indoors.
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For most of the southern and centra part of Minnesota, the air quality index is expected to reach the orange category, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. The area includes Twin Cities metro, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Ortonville, Mankato and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island.
In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Air quality conditions may worsen after more heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires is blown into Minnesota. This may cause more air quality alerts across other parts of the state.
MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard says that we may be in for on and off smoky skies similar to some recent summers with the amount of fires burning in Canada due to warm, dry conditions there.
Air quality condition updates and further information can be found at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
