Air quality alert due to wildfire smoke continues across most of Minnesota through Tuesday, August 3

The air quality alert issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) continues for most of Minnesota until Tuesday, August 3, at 3 p.m. However, the air quality alert has been cancelled for portions of southeast Minnesota. The area no longer in the alert includes Rochester and Winona. The remainder of the state remains in the air quality alert. 

A significant and long duration air quality event has been occurring across Minnesota over the past several days. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has remained over most of Minnesota since Thursday. The eastern half of the state experienced a significant improvement in air quality yesterday. However, lingering smoke over western Minnesota, combined with new smoke over the northern part of the state, have degraded air quality this morning. High pressure currently resides over the Iowa border, and westerly winds over the state will move this smoke into the Twin Cities and northeast Minnesota today.  Fine particle levels will begin to improve tomorrow as southerly winds start moving the smoke out of the state.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the Red AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across western and far northern Minnesota today. This area includes East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Alexandria, Ortonville, Marshall, Baudette, International Falls, and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux, Red Lake, and Grand Portage. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the Orange AQI category, a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, for north central, northeast, central, and south central Minnesota today. This area includes Duluth, Ely, Two Harbors, Brainerd, St Cloud, Mankato, the Twin Cities, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Fond du Lac, Mille Lacs, and Prairie Island. Fine particle levels are not expected to be above alert levels across southeast Minnesota.

Sensitive groups whose health is affected by unhealthy air quality:  There are people who are more likely to be affected when fine particle pollution reaches an unhealthy level.

• People who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• People who have heart disease or high blood pressure.
• Children and older adults.
• People of all ages who are doing extended or heavy, physical activity like playing sports or working outdoors.
• People who don’t have air conditioning to reduce indoor air pollution. 

Health effects: Air pollution can aggravate heart and cardiovascular disease as well as lung diseases like asthma and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider. 

In areas where air quality is in the Red (Unhealthy) AQI category, sensitive individuals may experience increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and respiratory conditions. The general population may also experience increased respiratory effects.

In areas where air quality is in the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category, sensitive individuals may experience aggravation of heart or lung disease and increasing likelihood of respiratory conditions.

Take precautions: Everyone should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy.

• Take it easy and listen to your body.
• Limit, change, or postpone your physical activity level.
• If possible, stay away from local sources of air pollution like busy roads and wood fires.
• Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Use indoor air filtration or air conditioning with the fresh-air intake closed/set on recirculate to reduce indoor air pollution.
• If you have asthma or other breathing conditions like COPD make sure you have your relief/rescue inhaler with you.
• People with asthma should review and follow guidance in their written asthma action plan. Make an appointment to see your health provider if you don’t have an asthma action plan.

In areas where air quality is in the Red (Unhealthy) AQI category, sensitive individuals should avoid prolonged exertion. Everyone else should limit prolonged exertion.

In areas where air quality is in the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category, sensitive individuals should limit prolonged exertion.

Pollution reduction tips: The main sources of fine particle pollution is any activity that uses fuel. Conserving energy and buying clean, renewable energy are great lifestyle choices to help reduce overall pollution. 

• Reduce vehicle trips.
• Encourage use of public transport, or carpool, when possible.
• Postpone use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment on air alert days. Use battery or manual equipment instead.
• Avoid backyard fires.

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 Minnesota Air mobile app, visit MPCA’s Air Quality Index webpage. You can find additional information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality at Air Quality and Health webpage.