Air quality alert issued for parts of Minnesota until Tuesday

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for northeast, central and southwest Minnesota due to a narrow, but thick band of smoke from wildfires in British Columbia, Canada. 

The air quality alert is in effect from 11 a.m. Monday until 9 a.m. Tuesday for Ely, Hibbing, Duluth, Brainerd, Alexandria, St. Cloud, Marshall and Mankato and the tribal nations of Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Fond du Lac and Mille Lacs.

The MPCA said the air quality will improve overnight and smoke is expected to be completely gone from the state by Tuesday morning. 

People who have asthma, breathing conditions, heart disease, high blood pressure are most likely to be affected. Children, elderly adults and anyone doing extended or heavy, physical activity outdoors are also asked to be cautious.