Air pollution warning expanded in Minnesota

The agency on Monday expanded the alert previously issued for the northern two-thirds of Minnesota to include the southern, central and northeastern parts of the state.

At-risk populations: Fine particle pollution has reached a level considered unhealthy for everyone. Thousands of people in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan have been evacuated.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is issuing an air pollution warning for northern Minnesota due to smoke from wildfires in Canada.

The smoke, which has already been an issue in Minnesota several times this summer, is coming from many forest fires 1,000 miles or more away – in northern Saskatchewan and northern Alberta – blowing into Minnesota by northwesterly winds.

The worst conditions are in Brainerd and farther north, where the air was unhealthy for everyone Monday morning. The MPCA says people in that area with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, and people participating in activities that require heavy or extended exertion may experience adverse health effects. Members of these groups are encouraged to postpone or reduce vigorous activity and minimize exposure to local sources of air pollution (i.e., heavy duty vehicle traffic, wood fires and candles).

Exposure to high levels of fine particles has been linked with both respiratory and cardiovascular health effects.