The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota, including a wide swath of northern and eastern Minnesota expected to experience levels considered unhealthy for all.
The alert took effect in the early morning hours Thursday, Aug. 17, and runs until 11 p.m. Friday.
The affected area includes Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth and Roseau, along with the tribal nations of Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac.
Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in the Northwest Territories of Canada was moving south across central Canada and toward Minnesota on Wednesday. A strong cold front will bring the smoke across the entire state Thursday.
Air moves long distances and carries pollutants. During air quality alerts due to wildfires, the air is mixed with harmful smoke. Wildfire smoke spreads or lingers depending on the size of the fires, the wind and the weather.
Air quality alert has been issued for all of MN until 11pm Friday. Smoke concentrations in the Red (Unhealthy for All) AQI category are expected across E MN + Orange(Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) across W MN. In these concentrations expect to be able to see/smell smoke. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/ydVjuTI0Oi
— MN Air Quality Index (@mpca_aqi) August 16, 2023
Because these fires are so far away from Minnesota, the smoke odor may be more akin to a burned plastic smell instead of a wood smoke smell. That is because of the chemical transformations that occur as the smoke plume is oxidized in the atmosphere as it travels, the MPCA reported.
This smoke will be heavy and will linger across the eastern half of the state on Friday, when fine particle levels will continue to be high for most of the day. Winds are expected to become southerly Friday afternoon and smoke will begin to retreat away from Minnesota and disperse. Air quality should improve below alert levels by late Friday.
In the red area, everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors, the MPCA reports. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index, or AQI, category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across western and southern Minnesota. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
The air quality index (AQI) is color-coded. Air quality alerts are issued when the AQI is forecast to reach an unhealthy level, which includes forecasts in the orange, red, purple, and maroon categories. For a full description of each air quality category, visit airnow.gov.
Red air quality: Unhealthy
In areas where air quality is in the red AQI category due to wildfires, the sky may look smoky. The air will look hazy, and people won’t be able to see long distances. They may smell smoke.
This air is unhealthy for everyone. Anyone may begin to experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat, along with coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Sensitive or more exposed individuals may experience more serious health effects, including worsening of existing heart or lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart attack or stroke.
People should reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure. Sensitive and more exposed individuals should avoid prolonged or vigorous activities and consider shortening, rescheduling or moving outdoor events inside.
Orange air quality: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
In areas where air quality is in the orange AQI category due to wildfires, the sky may look hazy and residents may smell smoke even when wildfires are far away.
This air is unhealthy for sensitive groups and pollution may aggravate heart and lung disease as well as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and fatigue.
People in sensitive groups are encouraged to reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks or do less intense activities to reduce their exposure. People with asthma should follow their asthma action plan and keep their rescue inhaler nearby, according to the MPCA.
Sensitive groups include people who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; people who have heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes; pregnant people; and children and older adults.
People with increased exposure include people of all ages who do longer or more vigorous physical activity outdoors; people who work outdoors, especially workers who do heavy manual labor; people who exercise or play sports outdoors, including children; people who don’t have air conditioning and need to keep windows open to stay cool; and people in housing not tight enough to keep unhealthy air out, or who do not have permanent shelter.
Anyone experiencing health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider. Those with severe symptoms, chest pain, trouble breathing, or who fear they may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke should call 911 immediately.