* 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… Southwest Minnesota.
* WHEN… Until 11 PM 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 wildfires in northwest Canada has
moved into southwest Minnesota behind a cold front. This smoke is
beginning to mix to the ground and fine particle levels have
climbed into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI category across
central and southern Minnesota. This smoke will linger along a
frontal boundary that will stall over the southern part of the
state. Rainfall is expected across this same region through
Thursday and this may help reduce smoke levels in some areas.
However, it’s possible this smoke may linger through the end of the
day on Thursday.