Air Quality Alert Issued For Northwestern Minnesota

Air Quality Alert

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for western Minnesota, effective Thursday, August 9 beginning at 2 p.m. through 10 a.m. Saturday, August 11. The affected area includes the cities of Worthington, Marshall, Ortonville, Alexandria, Moorhead, East Grand Forks, Roseau, and Bemidji, and the tribal nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake, and Upper Sioux.

Smoke from wildfires in western Canada continues to impact far western Minnesota Thursday afternoon. While smoke has cleared from the northern portion of the alert area, air quality is expected to slowly worsen once again from Fargo to Detroit Lakes to Red Lake and Roseau tonight into the day Friday. Periods of smoke are expected to continue into at least Saturday morning as a high-pressure system arrives. During this time, air quality will periodically decline to levels unhealthy for sensitive groups. Statewide improvements in air quality are expected on Sunday as winds switch to the south, carrying the smoke back into Canada.

People 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

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.

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.
•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.

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 the agency’s Air Quality and Health webpage.