The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert effective until 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, for Pine, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, Benton, Morrison, and Mille Lacs Counties. The affected area includes Brainerd, Hinckley, Rush City, Aitkin, Mora, and the tribal Nation of Mille Lacs. The previous air quality alert continues until 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, for St. Louis, Carlton, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and Cook Counties. The affected area includes Duluth, Cloquet, Hibbing, International Falls, Grand Rapids, Ely, Virginia, Hoyt Lakes, Babbitt, Isabella, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, and the tribal Nations of Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Mille Lacs, and Fond du Lac.

The Greenwood fire continues to burn in the Superior National Forest in northeast Minnesota. The fire is located near Greenwood Lake, or approximately 15 miles southwest of Isabella. The fire is estimated to be 26,000 acres with no containment. In addition to the Greenwood fire, fires just across the border in the Canadian Quetico Provincial Park continue to burn with no containment and will also contribute to smoke concentrations. Further expansion of the Greenwood Fire is expected Thursday and smoke will impact all of northeastern Minnesota as winds turn from the northwest to the northeast and eventually east by Friday. Surface smoke has also impacted east central Minnesota Thursday and is expected to persist until Friday morning. The Air Quality Alert is expanded further south to include Pine, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, Benton, Morrison, and Mille Lacs Counties. Smoke is expected to clear this area by 9 a.m. Friday.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the Red AQI category, a level that is considered unhealthy for everyone. Red AQI conditions are expected today across much of the alert area, especially as winds pivot from the northwest to the east and push the smoke over all of northeastern MN.

Sensitive groups whose health is affected by unhealthy air quality: There are people who are more likely to be affected when fine particle pollution reaches an unhealthy level.

People who have asthma or other breathing conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
People who have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Children and older adults.
People of all ages who are doing extended or heavy, physical activity like playing sports or working outdoors.
People who don’t have air conditioning to reduce indoor air pollution.

Health effects: Air pollution can aggravate heart and cardiovascular disease as well as lung diseases like asthma and COPD. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or fatigue. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, use your inhalers as directed and contact your health care provider.

In areas where air quality is in the Red (Unhealthy) AQI category, sensitive individuals may experience increased aggravation of heart or lung disease and respiratory conditions. The general population may also experience increased respiratory effects.

In areas where air quality is in the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category, sensitive individuals may experience aggravation of heart or lung disease and increasing likelihood of respiratory conditions.

Take precautions: Everyone should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy.

Take it easy and listen to your body.
Limit, change, or postpone your physical activity level.
If possible, stay away from local sources of air pollution like busy roads and wood fires.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible. Use indoor air filtration or air conditioning with the fresh-air intake closed/set on recirculate to reduce indoor air pollution.
If you have asthma or other breathing conditions like COPD make sure you have your relief/rescue inhaler with you.
People with asthma should review and follow guidance in their written asthma action plan. Make an appointment to see your health provider if you don’t have an asthma action plan.

In areas where air quality is in the Red (Unhealthy) AQI category, sensitive individuals should avoid prolonged exertion. Everyone else should limit prolonged exertion.

In areas where air quality is in the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) AQI category, sensitive individuals should limit prolonged exertion.

Pollution reduction tips: The main sources of fine particle pollution is any activity that uses fuel. Conserving energy and buying clean, renewable energy are great lifestyle choices to help reduce overall pollution.

Reduce vehicle trips.
Encourage use of public transport, or carpool, when possible.
Postpone use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment on air alert days. Use battery or manual equipment instead.
Avoid backyard fires.

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 Minnesota Air mobile app, visit MPCA’s Air Quality Index webpage. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/current-air-quality You can find additional information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality at Air Quality and Health webpage. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/why-you-should-care-air-quality-and-health

For more information on the U.S. EPA's AIRNow Program, visit http://www.airnow.gov.