Two Harbors, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CDT WEDNESDAY...

* 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 Purple or Very Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...North central and northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until noon CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...The risk of health effects is increased for
everyone. Minor ashfall will be possible due to the dense smoke.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A band of very heavy ground-level smoke from
Canadian wildfires has moved into northwest Minnesota Monday
morning behind a cold front. This smoke will continue to follow
behind the cold front as it moves southeast and smoke will reach
north central and northeast Minnesota by Monday afternoon.
Precipitation is expected across northern and central Minnesota
Monday afternoon and evening, but may not help improve air quality
much. The most significant impacts on air quality are expected to
occur across north central Minnesota. Air quality will begin to
improve Wednesday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid
all physical activities outdoors. The general public should avoid
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.

...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY FOR PORTIONS OF
NORTHEAST MINNESOTA...

Hot, dry, and breezy conditions will lead to near critical fire
weather conditions this afternoon. Southwest winds of 10 to 20
mph with gusts of 20 to 30 mph with locally higher gusts are
forecast. Minimum relative humidity values of 25 to 35 percent
are also expected. These conditions could lead to the rapid spread
of fires.

Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For
more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see
www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.