Air Alert Extended in Minnesota

(KNSI) – An air quality alert for central and northern Minnesota due to wildfire smoke from Canada has been extended, while a second alert has been issued for the Twin Cities due to ozone levels.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says smoke from fires in northern Alberta and British Columbia will persist into the day on Tuesday. The alert remains in effect until Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. It was issued on Saturday and was supposed to end at 6:00 p.m. on Monday.

Fine particle levels are expected to remain in the orange category, considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. That can make breathing difficult for the elderly, children, and people with heart and lung disease in the St. Cloud area and parts north.

In the Twin Cities, increased temperatures over the next couple of days had prompted officials to issue an air quality alert from noon on Tuesday to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday. The St. Cloud area could also be included in this alert.

Ground-level ozone is expected to be high during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Ozone levels are expected to reach the orange category across central and southern Minnesota.

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