* 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 Purple or Very Unhealthy category.
* WHERE…North central and northeast Minnesota.
* WHEN…Until noon CDT Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…The risk of health effects is increased for
everyone. Minor ashfall will be possible due to the dense smoke.
* 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 smoke will reach
north central and northeast Minnesota by Monday afternoon.
Precipitation is expected across northern and central Minnesota
Monday afternoon and evening, but may not help improve air quality
much. The most significant impacts on air quality are expected to
occur across north central Minnesota. Air quality will begin to
improve Wednesday morning.
