Wildfire smoke to move into the Red River Valley Friday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – The Minnesota Health Department is issuing an air quality alert for northwest and west-central Minnesota.   

Ground-level wildfire smoke is expected to impact the Red River Valley from the Canadian border through Wilkin County Friday afternoon through Sunday evening.   

The smoke is expected to reach the Canadian border Friday afternoon and the Fargo-Moorhead area Friday around 6 p.m.   

The Health Department says wildfire smoke can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, causing coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue.