Air Quality Alert Issued Due to Northern Minnesota Wildfires

(KNSI) – Smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota is causing deteriorating air quality as far south as St. Cloud.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says it is expanding the air quality alert to include Benton, Morrison, Sherburne and Stearns Counties due to the Greenwood and Quetico Fires. That alert is in effect until 9:00 a.m. Friday.

The air in the St. Cloud area is in the orange category, or unhealthy for certain groups. Those certain groups include the elderly, those with COPD, heart or lung disease and asthmatics. Those groups are encouraged to stay inside with doors and windows closed until air quality improves.

Areas from roughly Mille Lacs County, though Kanabec and Aitkin Counties, Carlton and St. Louis Counties as well as western Lake County are in the red category, or unhealthy for all.

The Greenwood fire has burned 40 square miles and is zero percent contained. Fire officials estimate the blaze is growing by 4,200 acres per day. Other small fires have also been sparked around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Roads are closed and evacuation orders are underway as the blaze has destroyed 12 residents and 57 outbuildings. Three properties on McDougal Lake have been damaged.

There have been no reports of any injuries.

___