Cokato, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CDT SATURDAY...

* 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, east central, central, south central,
southeast, north central, northwest, southwest, and northeast
Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 5 PM CDT Saturday.

* 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...Northerly winds will continue transporting
waves of heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and
Saskatchewan into Minnesota. Smoke will move south across all of
Minnesota and linger through Saturday afternoon. The smoke will be
reinforced by an area of high pressure that will create light
winds and limit the dispersion of smoke. Therefore the air quality
alert has been expanded to include all of Minnesota and extended
until Saturday afternoon when the air quality is forecasted to
improve.

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.