AEUS73 KMPX 021458
AQAMPX

Air Quality Alert Message
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Relayed by National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
958 AM CDT Mon Sep 2 2024

MNZ042>044-049>051-030600-
Benton-Mille Lacs-Morrison-Sherburne-Stearns-Todd-
Including the tribal nation of Mille Lacs
Including the city of St. Cloud
958 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 Orange or Unhealthy for 
  Sensitive Groups category.

* WHERE...Central, northwest, and north central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Tuesday.

* 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 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 
  a.m. Tuesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

&&

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.

$$

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