* 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…Northeast Minnesota.
* WHEN…From 8 AM CDT Thursday to 6 PM CDT Friday.
* 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…Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires across
southeast Manitoba will drift southeastward around an area of
high pressure into northeastern Minnesota beginning Thursday
morning. This smoke may linger near the shores of Lake Superior
overnight Thursday into Friday morning. On Friday, a second
round of heavy smoke from several large wildfires across
Manitoba and Saskatchewan will likely be transported south into
Minnesota behind a cold front. This round may impact a larger
area of Minnesota, and additional air quality alerts may be
needed.