The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particle pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category across parts of Minnesota.
The alert is mainly for northern Minnesota, but in the central and southern parts of the state, you may see hazy sunshine Tuesday and even some smoky air. The alert runs through 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.
WCCO Chief Meteorologist Paul Douglas says the problem is early-season wildfires over Western Canada.
“Mother Nature doing some grilling up in northern Saskatchewan, northern Alberta,” says Douglas. “Lot of wildfires, some of them still burning out of control. And just a huge pall of smoke being belched downwind over Minnesota.”
Douglas says the area has seen a record heatwave already this spring.
“It is because of record heat over Western Canada, it’s been unusually hot, dry and windy,” he says. “These fires that normally kick off later in the summer and fall, they’re starting early this year.”
The alert from the National Weather Service reads:
“A band of smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan is currently moving east across southern Canada. Air quality observations in Manitoba and Ontario indicate that smoke has reached the surface and will continue to move south into Minnesota today. Some reports of falling ash have also been received as far south as Duluth. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across northern and central Minnesota. This area includes Alexandria, Little Falls, and the tribal nation of Mille Lacs. In the orange area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors.”
They also say sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Try to 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.
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