The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has released a map showing the air quality warning for the northern half of Minnesota.
DULUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality warning for the northern half of the state, which is expected to remain in effect until noon Monday.
This comes after a warning was issued on Wednesday due to wildfire smoke in Canada.
READ MORE: Air quality warning for northeast Minnesota due to wildfire smoke
Which areas are affected?
The warning, which went into effect at 6 p.m. Friday, covers north-central, northwest, northeast and east-central Minnesota, including Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau and the Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage, Mille Lacs and Fond du Lac tribal nations.
READ MORE: Authorities in Minnesota expect air quality to be affected again by wildfires this summer
What the orange AQI means
The orange air quality index (AQI) category is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups of people.
Sensitive groups include children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. The MPCA warns that pollution can worsen heart and lung disease, as well as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
According to officials, the air travels long distances and mixes with harmful smoke, which can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and fatigue.
People are encouraged to limit outdoor physical activities and avoid local sources of pollution such as busy roads and wood fires.
For more information on current air quality, visit the MPCA’s air quality alert page.
