* 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 Purple or Very Unhealthy category. * WHERE...East central, central, north central, and northwest Minnesota. * WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy smoke will continue. Some clearing will be possible on Friday before an area of low pressure will approach the region and push smoke back to the south and west across the alert area.

* 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 Purple or Very Unhealthy category. * WHERE...Northwest Minnesota * WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Everyone will be affected by wildfire smoke in these concentrations. Minor trace amounts of ashfall are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... Dense smoke will continue to spread westward across northern Minnesota along a quasi-stationary front. The smoke will persist until at least Friday, and this alert may need to be extended.