ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for central, east central, west central, north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota.
The alert takes effect 6 a.m. on Tuesday, and runs until 11 p.m. on Wednesday. The affected area includes Brainerd, Alexandria, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Ortonville, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, White Earth, Red Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.
Northwesterly winds will transport heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan into northern Minnesota, beginning Tuesday morning. Smoke will spread south into central Minnesota through the day Tuesday and may continue into southern Minnesota overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. The air quality alert may need to be expanded further south into southern Minnesota. High pressure will blanket much of the region from Wednesday through Friday, which will result in light winds and poor dispersion of smoke. The alert may need to be extended beyond Wednesday.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across north central, northwest, northeast, and east central Minnesota.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across central, east central, west central, north central, and northwest Minnesota. The area includes Brainerd, Alexandria, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Ortonville, Moorhead, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs and White Earth. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
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