Poor Air Quality in Minnesota: Alert Now in Effect Until Monday

Contrary to the rumors that are spreading, the smoke that you are seeing in the sky is NOT from the Minnesota Twins fire sale the other day. Unfortunately, Canada is still on fire and sadly, our lungs are feeling the burn...literally.

If you were planning to enjoy clean, fresh air again this weekend after the air quality alert was supposed to expire for Minnesota, I have the worst news ever from the National Weather Service.

Updated Air Quality Alert for the Majority of Minnesota and Wisconsin

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service La Crosse sent out an alert about the poor air quality visible in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The hope was that this alert would expire on Saturday, August 2nd. Unfortunately, it sounds like our windows will now be shut all weekend.

weather.gov

New Air Quality Alert In Place for Minnesota Until Noon on Monday

Due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, the National Weather Service issued the following Air Quality Alert for the state of Minnesota until Noon on Monday:

WHAT - Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach Red or Unhealthy category

@NWSLaCrosse on X

WHERE - West central, east central, central, south central, southwest, southeast, north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. A few of the cities that are impacted by this air quality alert include Rochester, Dodge Center, Austin, Plainview, Red Wing, Preston, Albert Lea, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth.

IMPACTS...Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects.

SIphotography Getty Creative/ThinkStock

Things To Avoid Doing During An Air Quality Alert

Sensitive groups should limit their time outside as well as prolonged or heavy exertion.

Residents are also asked to avoid activities that contribute to air pollution, like the following:

outdoor burning,
use of residential wood burning devices
reduce vehicle trips
vehicle idling as much as possible.

If you use an inhaler, keep it handy. And if you are in the sensitive group categories, keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.

11 of the Most Devastating Weather Disasters in Minnesota Throughout The Years

We might be full of lakes and "nice" but Minnesota has had its fair share of horrible and nasty weather. Throughout the years we've had floods, fires, storms that have crushed stadium roofs flat, and tornadoes that have destroyed lives.

Gallery Credit: Jessica Williams