Emmons, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has expanded an
Air Quality Alert for fine particles pollution further west. The
Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Red or
Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...East central, southeast, south central, and northeast
Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Monday.

* 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...Heavy smoke has expanded further west into
east central and south central Minnesota this morning. While
some improvement is possible this afternoon across these areas,
additional heavy smoke is forecast to move in from the south
this evening and persist through Monday morning. Southeast
Minnesota will remain in heavy smoke through Monday morning. As
for northeastern Minnesota, increasing southwesterly winds
through the day will lead to improved air quality for many
throughout the afternoon, though areas near the shores of Lake
Superior and the wildfires themselves may continue to experience
poor air quality until the early evening. Only localized poor
air quality will exist thereafter. Red, meaning unhealthy for
everyone, is the expected AQI category for all portions of this
alert.

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. Poor air quality can impact pets and animals. More;
information regarding pet and animal safety can be found at;
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/protect-your-;
pets-factsheet.pdf and https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-;
owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals.