Air Quality Alert
Issued by NWS Duluth, MN
Issued by NWS Duluth, MN
086 AEUS73 KDLH 181929 AQADLH Air Quality Alert Message Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Relayed by National Weather Service Duluth MN 229 PM CDT Fri Jul 18 2025 MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-211400- Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-North Itasca- Central St. Louis-Southern Lake-Southern Cook-North Cass- South Itasca-South Cass-Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin- Carlton and South St. Louis-Pine- Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Isabella, Bigfork, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Walker, Grand Rapids, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, Aitkin, Duluth, Pine City, and Hinckley 229 PM CDT Fri Jul 18 2025 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT FROM 1 PM CDT SATURDAY UNTIL 9 AM CDT MONDAY... * 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 Purple or Very Unhealthy category. * WHERE...North central, northeast, and northwest Minnesota. * WHEN...1 PM CDT Saturday until 9 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy surface smoke from Canadian wildfires will drift south into Minnesota over the next several days. This smoke will initially impact far northern Minnesota early Saturday afternoon and then spread south and east through the rest of the day and into the evening. Smoke lingers across the region on Sunday with light winds in place, and then exits back to the north through Monday morning. The highest smoke concentrations are expected to be across far northern Minnesota and the Arrowhead region from Saturday into Sunday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid all physical activities outdoors. The general public should avoid 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. $$ MPCA