Air Quality Alert Impacts Burning Permits

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for central and southern Minnesota beginning Tuesday, June 20, at noon through Thursday, June 22, at 9 p.m. 

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

To reduce additional air pollutants, burning permits will not be issued or activated. 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. 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.