* 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 Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups category.
* WHERE…North central, northwest, central, and west central
Minnesota.
* WHEN…Until 10 AM CDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may
experience health effects.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Smoke from numerous wildfires across the
Saskatchewan province in Canada is currently pushing into
northwestern Minnesota overnight Tuesday behind a cold front. The
cold front will stall over northwest Minnesota during Wednesday which
will cause the smoke to linger through the day Wednesday and into
Thursday morning. Air quality is expected to reach the Orange
(Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category across the alert area
during this time. Air quality should improve by Thursday morning as
easterly winds blow the smoke westward out from Minnesota.