AIR POLLUTION ALERT FOR DUST FOR RAPID CITY WEST OF THE GAP IN EFFECT FROM 600 PM THIS EVENING UNTIL NOON FRIDAY... Northwest winds will increase early this evening 30 to 45 mph with gusts over 60 mph. The strong winds will continue Thursday with gusts around 70 mph possible. The winds will diminish Friday morning. The strong winds will suspend fine dust in the air over west Rapid City producing poor air quality. The Rapid City Air Quality Office recommends the elderly, young, and anyone with respiratory problems avoid excessive physical exertion and exposure to the outside air. Voluntary actions to reduce dust pollution include, ceasing or reducing the manipulation of soil in construction, industrial, and agricultural activities, and increasing the use of pollution controls for soil stabilization, waste pits, stock piles, and construction sites. && Hourly dust concentrations are available on the denr web page http://denr.sd.gov/des/aq/aarealtime.aspx