378
AEUS73 KMPX 191449
AQAMPX

Air Quality Alert Message
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Relayed by National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
949 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2026

MNZ052-053-060>063-068>070-076>078-083>085-092-093-201600-
Anoka-Blue Earth-Carver-Chisago-Dakota-Faribault-Freeborn-Goodhue-
Hennepin-Isanti-Le Sueur-Ramsey-Rice-Scott-Steele-Waseca-
Washington-
Including the Tribal Nation of Prairie Island
Including the cities of Albert Lea, Apple Valley, Blaine,
Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Eagan, Eden Prairie,
Farmington, Hastings, Mankato, Maple Grove, Minneapolis,
Minnetonka, Northfield, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Ramsey, Rogers,
Rosemount, Roseville, Shakopee, St. Louis Park, St. Paul,
Stillwater, Waconia, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury
949 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has expanded an
  Air Quality Alert for fine particles pollution further west. The
  Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Red or
  Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...East central, southeast, south central, and northeast
  Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM 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...Heavy smoke has expanded further west into
  east central and south central Minnesota this morning. While
  some improvement is possible this afternoon across these areas,
  additional heavy smoke is forecast to move in from the south
  this evening and persist through Monday morning. Southeast
  Minnesota will remain in heavy smoke through Monday morning. As
  for northeastern Minnesota, increasing southwesterly winds
  through the day will lead to improved air quality for many
  throughout the afternoon, though areas near the shores of Lake
  Superior and the wildfires themselves may continue to experience
  poor air quality until the early evening. Only localized poor
  air quality will exist thereafter. Red, meaning unhealthy for
  everyone, is the expected AQI category for all portions of this
  alert.

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. Poor air quality can impact pets and animals. More
information regarding pet and animal safety can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/protect-your-
pets-factsheet.pdf and https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-
owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals.

$$

$$