ST. PAUL 鈥� The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended an air quality alert across the northern portion of the state but indicated smoky air from the weekend is on its way out.
According to a release Monday evening, July 14, air quality will be unhealthy throughout northern Minnesota due to a second round of Canadian wildfire smoke. However, smoky air that prompted alerts over the weekend is continuing to move east and exiting the state, the release said.
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The affected area for Monday鈥檚 alert includes Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Park Rapids, Fergus Falls, Brainerd, Duluth, Bemidji and East Grand Forks.
Air quality will be unhealthy for all people in the southern portion of St. Louis County, including Duluth; Carlton County; and along the coast of Lake Superior in Lake and Cook counties, the release said. Anyone may begin to experience irritated eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.
Air quality across the rest of northern Minnesota will be considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include those with breathing conditions, heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, women who are pregnant, children and older adults.
For sensitive groups or those with increased exposure to the outdoors, health effects may begin more quickly.
The agency advised reducing outdoor activities, taking more breaks and avoiding intense activities.
The alert is expected to end at 11 p.m. Tuesday. There is no longer an air quality alert in the southern portion of the state, the agency said.
Editor's note: This story was updated Monday evening, July 14, to include information from a new air quality alert.
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