KFGO file photo
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality is actively monitoring Canadian wildfires. Current forecasted weather conditions predict smoke to enter North Dakota in the coming days, potentially affecting air quality across the state. Environmental Quality advises residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities in smoky conditions.
Residents are encouraged to use the AirNow.gov website and mobile app to access the current air quality conditions.
Environmental Quality advises everyone to use common sense when wildfire smoke adversely impacts air quality. To decrease the potential for health issues, sensitive groups of people should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.
What you should do depends on the air quality index and your personal health status. Due to the active wildfires and changing wind patterns, air quality can be variable and unpredictable. Air quality may improve at times or get worse very quickly.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is issued an Air Quality Alert for Friday for the northwestern part of the state. The air quality index will reach the purple or very unhealthy category. The first band of smoke will quickly move across northern Minnesota during the day Friday and reach northeast Minnesota by the evening. A second round of smoke will reach northwest Minnesota Friday evening. Air quality should improve beginning Sunday afternoon.
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