Hancock, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM 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...Portions of central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM 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...Dense smoke is being pulled by a quasi-
stationary front across southern Minnesota. Smoke has settled
across the Minnesota River Valley and little additional southward
movement is forecasted today. There continues to be a sharp
gradient of smoke, with some areas of the same counties
experiencing Good/Green air quality while other experience
Red/Unhealthy for All conditions. Conditions will gradually
improve by Friday morning as the front slowly retreats northward.

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.