...AIR QUALITY ALERT NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CDT MONDAY... * 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...Northeast Minnesota. * WHEN...Until 6 PM CDT Monday. * 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...Wildfire smoke that impacted the state this weekend continues to move east and has exited the state. Air quality has improved below the alert threshold for southern Minnesota, and therefore the alert has been cancelled for this part of the state. Another round of smoke has moved into northwest Minnesota and will result in poor air quality across northern Minnesota through Monday evening. The current air quality alert has been extended until 6 PM on Monday. Air quality is expected to reach the Red (Unhealthy) category across northern Minnesota for the remainder of Sunday and for Monday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors. && For information on current air quality conditions in your area and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/current-air-quality-conditions. You can find additional information about health and air quality at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/air-quality- and-health.