Staples, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT TONIGHT...

* 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...Central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM CDT tonight.

* 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...A band of heavy smoke from wildfires in
Saskatchewan and Manitoba will continue to impact air quality
across east central and northeast Minnesota on Friday. Smoke has
exited the southern and western portions of the state and air
quality has improved in these regions. Therefore, the air
quality alert has been cancelled for these areas of the state.
Smoke will linger across the alert area Friday afternoon, and
then southerly winds are expected to push the smoke back to the
north. The heaviest smoke is expected across east central MN,
and air quality in the Red (Unhealthy) category is expected. Air
quality should improve gradually 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
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.