AREAS AFFECTED : WEST POLK; NORMAN; CLAY; KITTSON; ROSEAU; LAKE OF THE WOODS; WEST MARSHALL; EAST MARSHALL; NORTH BELTRAMI; PENNINGTON; RED LAKE; EAST POLK; NORTH CLEARWATER; SOUTH BELTRAMI; MAHNOMEN; SOUTH CLEARWATER; HUBBARD; WEST BECKER; EAST BECKER; WILKIN; WEST OTTER TAIL; EAST OTTER TAIL; WADENA; GRANT
* 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 Red or Unhealthy category.
* WHERE...West central, north central, northwest, and central
Minnesota.
* WHEN...From 6 AM CDT Saturday to 6 PM CDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health
effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may
experience health effects.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Northwest winds are expected to transport
heavy smoke from large Canadian wildfires across Saskatchewan and
Manitoba into northwestern Minnesota beginning Saturday morning and
lasting into Sunday. This could be a significant smoke event, with
potential health impacts for all populations.