Air Quality Alert for all of Minnesota
Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke through Monday, June 2, for all of Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. & DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota.
The alert runs until 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2.
The affected area includes all of Minnesota and Tribal Nations.
The MPCA said in a news release, “A cold front will continue to drag smoke from large wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan southward into Minnesota. This will be a long-duration event with multiple rounds of smoke expected. The highest concentration of smoke is expected Saturday morning and afternoon. The air quality will improve slightly overnight Saturday before a second wave of smoke arrives Sunday morning. Air quality may improve Sunday evening before a third round of smoke arrives Monday. This air quality alert may need to be extended as additional waves of smoke will be possible.”
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category – a level considered unhealthy for everyone – across all of northern Minnesota.
Red air quality: Unhealthy
Sights and smells: In areas where air quality is in the red AQI category due to wildfires, the sky may look smoky. The air will look hazy, and you won’t be able to see long distances. You may smell smoke.
Health effects: This air is unhealthy for everyone. Anyone may begin to experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Sensitive or more exposed individuals may experience more serious health effects, including worsening of existing heart or lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart attack, or stroke.
What to do: Reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure. Sensitive and more exposed individuals should avoid prolonged or vigorous activities and consider shortening, rescheduling, or moving outdoor events indoors.
Who’s most at risk
Poor air quality impacts health. Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, and cause coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue. Smoke particles are small enough that they can be breathed deeply into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. This can lead to illnesses such as bronchitis or aggravate existing chronic heart and lung diseases, triggering heart palpitations, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes.
