Minnesota, Wisconsin struggle to breathe as smoke from Canada sends air quality to worst levels. How can you protect yourself?
wildfire smoke
from Canada, reports Fox 9. The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) has issued an
air quality alert
for the entire state of Minnesota until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Due to heavy surface smoke, the
air quality
in Minnesota has worsened due to wildfire smoke from central Saskatchewan and Manitoba. On Thursday, the majority of Minnesota was under a red/unhealthy for all groups air quality alert. However, along Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota, the air quality could reach purple/very unhealthy levels at times due to "very dense smoke" located over Lake Superior, the MPCA says.
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"In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors," the MPCA says, adding: "In the purple area, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and stay indoors."
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The air quality forecast for Friday has the entire state under red/unhealthy levels. The air quality forecast for Saturday improves, with the MPCA listing it as orange/unhealthy for sensitive groups for much of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.
Live Events
According to IQ Air of major cities, Minneapolis has the fourth-worst air quality in the world as of 6:50 a.m. Thursday. The website lists Minneapolis' air quality at an AQI of 152, which is "unhealthy."
Wisconsin air quality
According to Fox 11 Online, Wisconsin has the worst
air quality in US
as of Thursday and it is under an 'air quality' alert. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Vilas, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood.
Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high of 75. The smoke and haze is expected to clear up a bit in the afternoon but could return on Friday. Otherwise Friday will be sunny with a high of 77.
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How to protect yourself during wildfire smoke
When smoke hangs around for days and days, its impacts on our health can take its toll. The MPCA says, fortunately, the 'EPA's guidance indicates that even with a longer exposure window people will still be able to recover from effects if they go indoors where the air is cleaner and/or use a well fitting N95 or KN95 mask.'
Here are some tips on how to limit smoke exposure indoors:
-Keep windows and doors closed, especially at night. That is when the smoke usually settles to the ground, becoming more concentrated, and will enter structures if windows are left open.
-Avoid more irritants like burning candles, vacuuming, etc.
-Set A/C to recirculate with a high efficiency air filter
-Consider wearing an N95 or KN95 mask
-Choose a room to close off and run a portable air filter
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