Air Quality Alert Message

Full Alert Message

Air Quality Alert Message Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Relayed by National Weather Service Duluth MN 1236 PM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT MONDAY... * 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 Maroon or Hazardous category. * WHERE...Northeast Minnesota. * WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Everyone is more likely to be affected. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...While heavy smoke retreats across portions of north central and northeastern Minnesota today, heavy smoke is expected to persist across much of northeastern Minnesota through the weekend and into Monday. A separate area of heavy smoke will move across northwestern Minnesota this morning and afternoon. Northwestern Minnesota should see improved air quality by this evening. Additional heavy smoke may move south from Canada this weekend, and the air quality alert may need to be extended into east central and southeastern Minnesota. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should remain indoors and keep activity levels low. The general public should avoid all physical activities outdoors. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors. && For information on current air quality conditions in your area and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/current-air- quality-conditions. You can find additional information about health and air quality at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/air-quality- and-health. Poor air quality can impact pets and animals. More information regarding pet and animal safety can be found at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/protect- your- pets-factsheet.pdf and https://www.avma.org/resources/pet- owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals.