Air quality alert extended for northeast Minnesota

Photo Courtesy
Minnesota National Guard

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended an air quality alert for northeast Minnesota until 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.

The Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires in the Superior National Forest remain active and will continue to produce heavy ground-level smoke through Thursday.

The affected area includes International Falls, Hibbing, Ely, and the Tribal Nations of Leech Lake and Red Lake.

They will  be in the “orange area” which means the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” stage.

The plumes will impact portions of St. Louis, Itasca, and Koochiching counties through Thursday afternoon.

In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

Sensitive groups include:
• People who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• People who have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
• Pregnant people.
• Children and older adults.

People with increased exposure include:
• People of all ages who do longer or more vigorous physical activity outdoors.
• People who work outdoors, especially workers who do heavy manual labor.
• People who exercise or play sports outdoors, including children.
• People who don’t have air conditioning and need to keep windows open to stay cool.
• People in housing not tight enough to keep unhealthy air out, or who do not have permanent shelter.

Anyone experiencing health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider. Those with severe symptoms, chest pain, trouble breathing, or who fear they may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke should call 911 immediately.