Smoke and hazy skies, Air Quality Alert in effect

Posted: 07/20/2021 at 4:27 PM in Weather
⚠ Air Quality Alert in effect for southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin into tonight. Smoke from western wildfires continues to be carried into our region, with fine particulates perhaps making their way down to near the surface.
While the general public is not likely to be affected, sensitive groups (such as children, older adults, those with breathing issues or heart disease) may experience some health effects and should limit outdoor exposure through tonight.

MN Air Quality Alert

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 12 PM CDT TODAY THROUGH 6 AM CDT
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particle pollution. The Air Quality Index
(AQI) is expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups category.

* WHERE...southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 12 PM CDT today through 6 AM 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 Ontario and Manitoba
is expected to mix down to the ground over northern Wisconsin and
move into central and southeast Minnesota this afternoon. Fine
particle levels are expected to reach the Orange AQI category, a
level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, today across
central and southeast Minnesota and remain in the Orange AQI category
tomorrow. Fine particle levels will begin to improve across the state
beginning Wednesday evening as winds will begin to move the smoke out
of the state. By Thursday morning air quality should be improved
below alert levels statewide.

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.

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 Minnesota Air mobile app, visit
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/current-air-quality. You can find
additional information about health and air quality at
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/why-you-should-care-air-quality-and-
health.

WI Air Quality Alert

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT FOR ALL OF
WISCONSIN...

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air
Quality Advisory FOR Particulates...in effect until midnight CDT
tonight. This advisory is for the entire state of Wisconsin.

Concentrations of Particulates may approach or exceed unhealthy
standards. At this level of Particulates exposure, members of
sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is
not likely to be affected.

For additional information...please visit Wisconsin DNR Air quality
Web site at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/airquality