* 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 Red or Unhealthy category. * WHERE. Central, east central, west central, north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. * WHEN. From 9 AM CDT Sunday to 9 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS. Some members of the general public may experience health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. Heavy surface smoke from many wildfires across central Saskatchewan and Manitoba will wrap around the backside of an area of low pressure system this weekend, as the low moves east across south central Canada. Poor air quality will most likely impact western Minnesota beginning Sunday morning, and then expand further east through the evening. Heavy smoke should then disperse from west to east across the state from Monday into Tuesday morning.
