Ortonville, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

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

* 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 Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups category.

* WHERE...West central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM CDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may
experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Smoke from wildfires in northwest Canada has
moved into west central Minnesota behind a cold front. This smoke is
beginning to mix to the ground and fine particle levels have climbed
into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI category across central
and southern Minnesota. This smoke will linger along a frontal
boundary that will stall over the southern part of the state.
Rainfall is expected across this same region through Thursday and
this may help reduce smoke levels in some areas. However, it's
possible this smoke may linger through the end of the day on
Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, 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.