Air quality alert issued for west-central Minnesota; expires Tuesday at 10 p.m.

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – An air quality alert was issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for areas of west-central Minnesota including Detroit Lakes on Monday afternoon.

The alert will remain in effect until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 due to Quebec wildfire smoke.

According to the state agency, the smoke cycled around a large low-pressure system near Hudson Bay and looped around into northwestern and west-central Minnesota.

The agency also warns the smoke will be slow to dissipate and the alert may be extended locally on Tuesday. 

The orange level air quality alert recommends sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, and cause coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue.

The agency also warns prolonged exposure, especially in sensitive respiratory groups, can lead to illnesses such as bronchitis or aggravate existing chronic heart and lung diseases. It can also trigger heart palpitations, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes.