AEUS73 KDLH 021609 CCA AQADLH Air Quality Alert Message...CORRECTED Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Relayed by National Weather Service Duluth MN 1109 AM CDT Mon Sep 2 2024 MNZ010-018-025-026-033>036-030600- Koochiching-North Itasca-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass- Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin- Including the cities of International Falls, Bigfork, Walker, Grand Rapids, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, and Aitkin 1109 AM CDT Mon Sep 2 2024 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT TUESDAY... * 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 Red or Unhealthy category. * WHERE...North central and northwest Minnesota. Including the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and Red Lake. * WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health effects. 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 numerous wildfires across the Saskatchewan province in Canada has been pulled into portions of northern and central Minnesota by northerly winds. High pressure will move into the region and will produce very light winds on Monday. This airmass has become stagnant and heavy ground-level smoke will linger across the northern half of the state for the remainder of the day on Monday. Air quality is expected reach the Red (Unhealthy) AQI category across north central Minnesota. Air quality will reach the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category for the remainder of the alert area. Winds will become southerly Monday afternoon, and will begin to push the smoke back to the north. Dispersion will improve and smoke levels will gradually decrease beginning in the afternoon. Smoke levels should drop below alert levels by 1 AM Tuesday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public 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. && For information on current air quality conditions in your area and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/current-air-quality-conditions. You can find additional information about health and air quality at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/air-quality- and-health. $$ JDS