Grand Rapids, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT FRIDAY...

* 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...North central and northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM CDT Friday.

* 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...A band of heavy smoke from wildfires in
Saskatchewan and Manitoba is moving south across northwest
Minnesota on Wednesday. The smoke will remain over the northwest
part of the state through the end of Wednesday, but by Thursday
morning the smoke will reach southwest MN. Smoke will also move
into the northeast and central portions of the state Thursday
morning, and by Thursday afternoon smoke will reach east central
and south central MN. Some uncertainty remains regarding how far
south the ground-level smoke will reach by Friday morning, when
winds are expected to become southerly and push the smoke back to
the north. Air quality should improve gradually from south to
north beginning Friday afternoon, with improvement in fine
particle levels below the alert threshold expected by the end of
Friday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public 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.

&&

For information on current air quality conditions in your area;
and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert;
notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow;
mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-;
climate/current-air- quality-conditions. You can find additional;
information about health and air quality at;
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/air-quality-;
and-health.