Air Quality Alert

* 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 Red or Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...Southeastern Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS... Some members of the general public may experience health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... Dense smoke is being pulled by a quasi- stationary front across southern Minnesota. While the front has stalled smoke has continued to move south along the Mississippi River Valley and may continue to do so today. There will be a sharp gradient of smoke, with some areas of the same counties experiencing Good/Green air quality while other experience Red/Unhealthy for All conditions as the front slowly moves south. Conditions will gradually improve by Friday morning as the front retreats northward.