* 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. Central and south central Minnesota. * WHEN. Until 9 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS. Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in central Canada moved into northwest Minnesota early Friday morning behind a cold front. This first band of smoke is currently impacting northern Minnesota as it moves east during the day Friday. Air quality will worsen across northeast Minnesota Friday evening as smoke arrives over the region. A second round of smoke will move into northwest Minnesota late Friday evening. This smoke will be more widespread as it moves southeast overnight, and by Saturday afternoon the entire state may be impacted. The heaviest smoke on Saturday will be across the northern half of the state. Air quality will begin to improve across western Minnesota Sunday morning as cleaner air moves in from the west. By Sunday evening, the smoke should be gone from most of the state. Another round of smoke is possible across far northern Minnesota Sunday night.
