Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Did you notice - and smell - the smoke in the Rochester area Friday?  

It drifted in from major wildfires in Canada and was thick enough in some parts of Minnesota to trigger an air quality alert from the state.

view of downtown Rochester during smoke on Sept 1 2017- Kim David/Townsquare Media
view of downtown Rochester during smoke on Sept 1 2017- Kim David/Townsquare Media
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) reported the smoke posed a health risk to certain individuals in central, southwest and western parts of the state.

Although conditions improved Friday night, the PCA says a large part of the state will still face air quality issues Saturday, from Duluth through the Twin Cities and across much of southern Minnesota. The agency says the highest fine particle concentrations will be across southern/southeast areas of the state.

MN air quality map Sept 2 2017 - MN PCA
MN air quality map Sept 2 2017 - MN PCA
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The conditions could linger into Sunday. A strong cold front will move across the state Monday which should result in cooler, cleaner air.

 

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