Full Notification

* 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 Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.

* WHERE...Central and southern Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM 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 northwest Canada has moved into central and southern Minnesota behind a cold front. This smoke is beginning to mix to the ground and fine particle levels have climbed into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI category across central and southern Minnesota. This smoke will linger along a frontal boundary that will stall over the southern part of the state. Rainfall is expected across this same region through Thursday and this may help reduce smoke levels in some areas. However, it's possible this smoke may linger through the end of the day on Thursday.

* AFFECTED AREAS: DOUGLAS ... TODD ... MORRISON ... MILLE LACS ... KANABEC ... STEVENS ... POPE ... STEARNS ... BENTON ... SHERBURNE ... 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.