An air quality alert has been issued for southern, east central, and northeast Minn., effective Tuesday, June 27, until Thursday, June 29, at midnight. The alert has been upgraded to include an area of red AQI across east central and southeast Minn.
East central and southeast Minn: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone. This area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Rochester, Hinckley, Winona, Duluth, and the tribal nations of Prairie Island, Mille Lacs, and Fond du Lac. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Southern, east central, and northeast Minn: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. This area includes Marshall, Worthington, Mankato, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, and Grand Portage. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec moved into eastern and southern Minn. late Monday. Fine particle levels continue to rise across eastern Minn. and have reached the red AQI category for east central and southeast Minn. Ground-level smoke is expected to persist across southern and east central Minn. on Wednesday. Air quality should improve statewide by midnight on Thursday.