Air quality alert

Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Wednesday, Sept. 4 through Thursday, Sept. 5 for northwestern Minnesota

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northwestern Minnesota. The alert takes effect 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and runs until 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5. The affected area includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake and Red Lake.

Smoke from numerous wildfires across the Saskatchewan province in Canada will travel south into northwestern Minnesota from the early evening on Wednesday through Thursday morning. Air quality is expected to reach the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category across the alert area during this time. Air quality should improve by Thursday afternoon, as cleaner air moves in on northerly winds.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across northwestern Minnesota. This area includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake and Red Lake. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

(DeeDee)