Air quality alert continues for all of Minnesota through the weekend
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An air quality alert remains in effect for all of Minnesota through Monday morning, as smoke from Canadian wildfires is blanketing the region with hazy, unhealthy air that’s expected to last through the weekend.
Air quality alerts also are in place for all of Wisconsin through noon Monday.
Most of Minnesota had air quality in the red category — meaning unhealthy for everyone — as of Saturday morning. That included the Twin Cities, where the smell of the wildfire smoke was very evident, along with hazy skies.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported that parts of northern Minnesota saw air quality degrade to the purple category — meaning very unhealthy for everyone — on Friday, and those readings could occur again on Saturday as multiple rounds of smoke sweep into the region behind a cool front.
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The MPCA said air quality should start to improve in western Minnesota on Sunday morning, with cleaner air spreading across the state through the day — though far northern Minnesota may see one more round of smoke on Sunday night.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said it’s not issuing or activating any burning permits while the air quality alert is in effect, to reduce additional air pollutants. The DNR also said it’s discouraging people from having campfires while the air quality is unhealthy.
What do air quality readings mean?
The air quality index ranges from green (good), to yellow (moderate), orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups), red (unhealthy for everyone), purple (very unhealthy for everyone) and maroon (hazardous).
The MPCA said air quality in the purple category can cause serious health effects on anyone — whether or not they have pre-existing heart, lung or other health conditions.
“Avoid prolonged or vigorous outdoor activity,” the MPCA advised. “Consider rescheduling sports and other outdoor events or moving them inside. Sensitive individuals should avoid all outdoor physical activity.”
Air quality readings in the red and orange categories are less severe — but still potentially unhealthy.
Find more information about the air quality index — and precautions you can take — on the MPCA website.
The MPCA also provides current air quality readings across the state.
