Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Reduce or eliminate activities
that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and
use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and
vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight
to prevent smoke from getting indoors.
* 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...West central, east central, south central, southwest,
southeast, and central Minnesota.
* WHEN...From 9 AM CDT Sunday to 9 AM CDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults,
may experience health effects.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy surface smoke from many wildfires
across central Saskatchewan and Manitoba will wrap around the
backside of an area of low pressure system this weekend, as the
low moves east across south central Canada. Poor air quality will
most likely impact western Minnesota beginning Sunday morning,
and then expand further east through the evening. Heavy smoke
should then disperse from west to east across the state from
Monday into Tuesday morning.