Air quality alert in effect across Minnesota this weekend

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A statewide air quality alert is in effect through Sunday due to smoke from wildfires in western Canada. 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the air quality alert from Friday until Sunday.

"A thick blanket of smoke is expected to arrive in the upper-levels of the atmosphere this afternoon and evening across southern parts of the state," MPCA said in a news release. "However, smoke is not expected to impact air quality from St Cloud, to the Twin Cities and Rochester until midday Saturday. Periods of smoke and orange AQIs will linger over the state Saturday night before a south wind brings in cleaner air by Sunday afternoon." 

People who have asthma or other breathing conditions, heart disease or high blood pressure, children and older adults and people who are doing extended or heavy, physical activity like playing sports or working outside are most likely to be affected by the smoke. 

For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/2MBYwcs