Air Quality Alert

MNZ041>045-048>053-057>063-066>070-076>078-171600- Anoka-Benton-Carver-Chisago-Dakota-Douglas-Goodhue-Hennepin- Isanti-Kanabec-Kandiyohi-Le Sueur-McLeod-Meeker-Mille Lacs- Morrison-Pope-Ramsey-Rice-Scott-Sherburne-Sibley-Stearns-Todd- Washington-Wright- Including the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs and Prairie Island Including the cities of Alexandria, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Buffalo, Burnsville, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Farmington, Hastings, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Northfield, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Ramsey, Rogers, Rosemount, Roseville, Shakopee, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Stillwater, Waconia, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury

...AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT FRIDAY...

* 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...Central Minnesota including the Twin Cities.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Everyone can be affected by wildfire smoke in these concentrations. Minor trace amounts of ashfall are likely and have been reported across Minnesota.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... Dense smoke is causing observed Hazardous/Maroon conditions across central Minnesota. Smoke concentrations will gradually decrease through Friday, but the air quality will remain in the Hazardous/Maroon to Unhealthy For All/Red categories through that time in the alert area before improving Friday morning.