Air Quality Alert issued June 11 at 2:49PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

* 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…Central and southern 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 central and southern 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.