Update: Air quality alert extended

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended the air quality alert for southern Minnesota. The alert remains in effect until 11 p.m. Monday. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Winona, Mankato and the tribal nation of Prairie Island.

Graphic from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Heavy smoke will linger across southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro though the day on Monday. This band of smoke will slowly drift to the south throughout the day and air quality will begin improving from north to south within the alert area. Air quality should improve across the Twin Cities metro during the afternoon and the rest of southern Minnesota can expect improving air quality by the end of the day.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across southern Minnesota. This area includes Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Winona, Mankato and the tribal nation of Prairie Island. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across the Twin Cities metro. This area includes the Twin Cities metro. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

What this alert means

Air moves long distances and carries pollutants. During air quality alerts due to wildfires, the air is mixed with harmful smoke. Wildfire smoke spreads or lingers depending on the size of the fires, the wind, and the weather.

The air quality index is color-coded. Air quality alerts are issued when the AQI is forecast to reach an unhealthy level, which includes forecasts in the orange, red, purple, and maroon categories. For a full description of each air quality category, visit airnow.gov

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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 inside.

Orange air quality: Unhealthy for sensitive groups

Sights and smells: In areas where air quality is in the orange AQI category due to wildfires, the sky may look hazy and residents may smell smoke even when wildfires are far away.

Health effects: This air is unhealthy for sensitive groups and pollution may aggravate heart and lung disease as well as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and fatigue.

What to do: People in sensitive groups are encouraged to reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, or do less intense activities to reduce their exposure. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plan and keep their rescue inhaler nearby.

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