Air Quality Alert
Issued by NWS La Crosse, WI
Issued by NWS La Crosse, WI
222 AEUS73 KARX 182039 AQAARX AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI 339 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026 MNZ079-086>088-094>096-201600- Wabasha-Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston- Including the cities of Wabasha, Dodge Center, Rochester, Winona, Austin, Preston, and Caledonia 339 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026 ...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM SUNDAY TO 11 AM CDT MONDAY... * WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Red or Unhealthy category. * WHERE...East central, southeast, south central, and northeast Minnesota. * WHEN...From 3 AM CDT Sunday until 11 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy smoke from wildfires will persist across northeast Minnesota tonight into Sunday morning. Increasing southwesterly winds Sunday afternoon will lead to improved air quality for much of northeast Minnesota, though areas near the shores of Lake Superior and the wildfires themselves may continue to experience poor air quality through the afternoon. The alert for this part of the state is currently set to expire at 7 p.m. Sunday. Only localized poor air quality near the wildfires will continue thereafter. Heavy smoke is expected to then enter southeastern and far east central Minnesota from the east early Sunday morning and persist through Monday morning. Red, meaning unhealthy for everyone, is the expected AQI category for all of this alert. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit prolonged or heavy exertion. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors. For information on current air quality conditions in your area and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air- water-land- climate/current-air- quality-conditions. You can find additional information about health and air quality at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/air-quality- and-health. Poor air quality can impact pets and animals. More information regarding pet and animal safety can be found at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/protect- your- pets-factsheet.pdf and https://www.avma.org/resources/pet- owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals. $$