* 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…West central Minnesota.
* WHEN…Until 1 AM CDT Tuesday.
* 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 ground-level smoke from
Canadian wildfires has moved into northwest Minnesota Monday morning
behind a cold front. This smoke will continue to follow behind the
cold front as it moves southeast and will reach west central
Minnesota on Monday afternoon. Precipitation is expected Monday
afternoon, but may not help improve air quality much. Smoke will
clear early Tuesday morning and air quality will improve below the
alert threshold.