Weather

...AIR QUALITY ALERT NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH 3 PM CDT TUESDAY...

...LONG DURATION AND UNPRECEDENTED SIGNIFICANT AIR QUALITY EVENT
UNFOLDING ACROSS MINNESOTA...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particle pollution. The Air Quality Index
(AQI) is expected to reach the Purple or Very Unhealthy category.
This will be a long duration and unprecedented significant air
quality event for Minnesota.

* WHERE...North central and northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Through 3 PM CDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke from Canadian wildfires lingers over
most of Minnesota. There will be some slight improvement in air
quality throughout Friday and Friday night. However, on Saturday
northerly winds behind a cold front will bring more smoke from
wildfires located north of the Canadian border in Ontario and
Manitoba into Minnesota. This reinforcing batch of heavy smoke is
expected to arrive starting Saturday morning. Smoke will continue
pouring into the state throughout Saturday and into Sunday. High
pressure will build over the area for Sunday and remain over the area
for Monday into Tuesday morning. Smoke will recirculate under the
high pressure, leading to prolonged period of heavy smoke. Fine
particle levels will begin to improve Tuesday as southerly winds
start moving the smoke out of the state. Fine particle levels are
expected to reach the Purple AQI category, a level considered very
unhealthy for everyone, across north central Minnesota. This area
includes Hibbing, Brainerd, and the tribal nations of Red Lake, Leech
Lake, and Mille Lacs. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the
Red AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across
northern Minnesota. This area includes Ely and the tribal nation of
Fond du Lac. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the Orange
AQI category, a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive
groups, for far northeastern Minnesota. This area includes Duluth,
Two Harbors, and the tribal nation of Grand Portage.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid
all physical activities outdoors. The general public should avoid
prolonged or heavy exertion.

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 Minnesota Air mobile app, visit
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/current-air-quality. You can find
additional information about health and air quality at
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/why-you-should-care-air-quality-and-
health.