Full Notification

* 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...east central and south central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Through 12 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 Quebec moved into eastern and southern Minnesota late Monday, and ground- level smoke has persisted through the early Tuesday morning. High pressure has moved into the state and will result in very light winds across eastern Minnesota on Tuesday. As a result, ground- level smoke is expected to linger across the alert area on Tuesday. Winds will become southerly Tuesday afternoon and air quality may improve across northeast Minnesota by Wednesday. However, the smoke currently impacting Wisconsin is expected to recirculate into southern Minnesota, and ground-level smoke is expected to persist across southern and east central Minnesota on Wednesday. A cold front will move across the state Wednesday afternoon and bring cleaner air from the west. Air quality should improve statewide by midnight Thursday. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across east central and south central Minnesota. This area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Mankato, and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux and Prairie Island. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

* AFFECTED AREAS: MILLE LACS ... KANABEC ... ISANTI ... CHISAGO ... LAC QUI PARLE ... SWIFT ... CHIPPEWA ... KANDIYOHI ... MEEKER ... WRIGHT ... HENNEPIN ... ANOKA ... RAMSEY ... WASHINGTON ... YELLOW MEDICINE ... RENVILLE ... MCLEOD ... SIBLEY ... CARVER ... SCOTT ... DAKOTA ... REDWOOD ... BROWN ... NICOLLET ... LE SUEUR ... RICE ... GOODHUE ... WATONWAN ... BLUE EARTH ... WASECA ... STEELE ... MARTIN ... FARIBAULT ... FREEBORN

Instructions:

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.