Air quality alert issued for all of Minnesota through the weekend

An air quality alert is in effect for all of Minnesota through Monday morning, as several rounds of smoke from Canadian wildfire are expected to bring hazy, unhealthy air to the state through the weekend.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says air quality may degrade to the purple category — meaning very unhealthy for everyone — for the northern half of the state.

Air quality may be slightly better — but still in the unhealthy orange and red categories — through the weekend for the southern half of the state, including the Twin Cities.

After one round of smoke arrived Friday morning in northwest Minnesota, the MPCA said “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.”

Air quality should start to improve in western Minnesota on Sunday morning, with cleaner air spreading across the state through the day — though far northern Minnesota may see one more round of smoke on Sunday night.

An air quality alert was issued for the entire state of Minnesota on Friday, to be in effect through Monday morning.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

What do air quality readings mean?

The air quality index ranges from green (good), to yellow (moderate), orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups), red (unhealthy for everyone), purple (very unhealthy for everyone) and maroon (hazardous).

The MPCA said air quality in the purple category can cause serious health effects on anyone — whether or not they have pre-existing heart, lung or other health conditions.

“Avoid prolonged or vigorous outdoor activity,” the MPCA advised. “Consider rescheduling sports and other outdoor events or moving them inside. Sensitive individuals should avoid all outdoor physical activity.”

Air quality readings in the red and orange categories are less severe — but still potentially unhealthy.

Find more information about the air quality index — and precautions you can take — on the MPCA website.

The MPCA also provides current air quality readings across the state.