Another Air Quality Alert Issued for Smoky Air

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - It could be another smoky weekend in Minnesota. The state Pollution Control Agency has expanded a previously issued air quality alert for the north half of Minnesota to include the southern half of the state through noon on Sunday.

State officials say weather conditions are expected again pull smoke from wildfires burning in western Canada into Minnesota and raise levels of fine particulate pollution high enough to be considered unhealthy for so-called sensitive groups. That includes the very young and old, people with chronic respiratory and/or heart conditions, along with anyone involved in outdoor activities involving prolonged or heavy physical exertion.

The latest forecasts predict the smoke from the wildfires will arrive in central Minnesota Saturday morning and impact the Rochester by the afternoon. The winds should switch to the south Sunday morning and clear out the smoke Sunday afternoon.