Wildfire smoke pouring into the state from Canadian fires has triggered a red air quality alert, signaling that the air is unhealthy for anyone and everyone to breath.
The alert, issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is in effect until 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, for large portions of the state, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
“Northerly winds will continue transporting waves of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan into Minnesota,” the agency wrote on it website. “The smoke will be reinforced by an area of high pressure that will create light winds and limit the dispersion of smoke.”
The red air quality level, considered unhealthy for everyone, is in effect across all of Minnesota except the southernmost counties.
Southern Minnesota communities such as Worthington, Mankato, Albert Lea and Rochester are under an orange air quality alert, meaning the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, the agency said.
The agency cautions anyone in the red alert area and sensitive groups in the orange alert area to reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure.
Comments