Air Quality Alert Impacts Burning Permits

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for the southern half of Minnesota for Tuesday, May 23, from noon until 8 p.m. 

Counties include Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Marin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmstead, Pine, Pipestone, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, and Yellow Medicine.

To reduce additional air pollutants, open burning is not allowed, and campfires are discouraged. Additional counties may have burnings restrictions in place due to high fire danger levels. For up-to-date information on fire danger and burning restrictions visit www.mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions. 

The air quality is expected to reach the Orange air quality index (as shown in the map below). This level is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. 

For more information on the air quality alert, sensitive groups, and health effects visit the MPCA current air quality webpage.