...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT MONDAY...
* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index
(AQI) is expected to reach the Red or Unhealthy category.
* WHERE...Southeastern Minnesota.
* WHEN...Until noon CDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health
effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may
experience health effects.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A band of very heavy smoke from wildfires in
northeast British Columbia has moved into northern Minnesota and
will sweep south across the state on Sunday behind a cold front.
The smoke will reach southeastern Minnesota by this evening. Smoke
will persist through midday Monday across southern Minnesota and
air quality will gradually improve through the day as the smoke
begins to disperse. Air quality is expected to reach the Red
(Unhealthy) category for much of the state. The timing of maximum
smoke impacts in southeastern Minnesota will be from 6 pm to 11 pm
this evening and prolonged outdoor exertion during that time
should be limited.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid
prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit
prolonged or heavy exertion.
Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such
as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.
Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible.
Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.
For information on current air quality conditions in your area and
to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by
email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow mobile app, visit
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/current-air-
quality-conditions.
You can find additional information about health
and air quality at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-
climate/air-quality-and-health.