Air Quality Warning for all of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert effective from 11 a.m. Sunday through noon Monday. Air quality across Minnesota is expected to be in the red AQI category, which is unhealthy for everyone.

The Wisconsin Department of Resources has issued an air quality advisory for portions of Wisconsin, including Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer and Washburn counties. Current conditions are moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Very heavy smoke from wildfires in northeastern British Columbia has spread into northern Minnesota and well into northwestern Wisconsin. The smoke will continue to move northwest to southeast, reaching central Minnesota Sunday afternoon and southern Minnesota Sunday evening. Unhealthy air quality is expected to continue in northwest Wisconsin through Sunday, eventually affecting the entire state on Monday.

Conditions for northern Minnesota will gradually improve Monday. Smoke will continue in southern Minnesota until midday Monday and air quality will gradually improve throughout the day as the smoke begins to clear. Conditions will improve across northern Wisconsin, from unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups, to moderate conditions later Monday, to fair conditions on Tuesday.

During a red AQI category air quality alert, everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time outdoors. Anyone may experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose and throat, cough, chest tightness or shortness of breath.

More serious health effects may occur in sensitive or more heavily exposed individuals. Some of these effects include worsening of existing heart or lung disease, as well as respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Poor air quality can also lead to an asthma attack, heart attack or stroke.

Reduce outdoor physical activity, take more breaks, and avoid vigorous activity to reduce exposure. Sensitive and more exposed people should avoid prolonged or strenuous activities, but also consider shortening, postponing or moving outdoor events indoors.

Further information on the current air quality warning can be found here. Further information about the current weather conditions can be found here.