Rochester, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 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 Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups category.

* WHERE...Southern Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 6 PM CDT Thursday until 11 PM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...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 central and
northern Minnesota on Thursday. Smoke will reach southern Minnesota
Thursday afternoon. Thursday's smoke model forecasts suggest smoke
is likely to reach southeast Minnesota by Thursday evening.
Therefore, the alert has been expanded to cover southeast
Minnesota. Smoke will linger across the state until Friday
afternoon, and then southerly winds are expected to 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 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.