***UPDATE: The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday morning issued an air quality alert for all of northwest Iowa. It’s in effect through midnight Friday night.
(Undated)– A cold front has brought smoke from Canadian wildfires back into the region. The National Weather Service says north winds both at the surface and aloft have allowed the smoke from Manitoba and Saskatchewan to move south, enveloping a good deal of Minnesota and northern Iowa.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert that includes all of southwest Minnesota. It’s in effect until 5:00 pm Saturday.
Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease like asthma, heart disease, and children and older adults could experience effects from the smoke. Health officials say you should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution.
