Air Quality Alert Impacts Burning Permits

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended the air quality alert for east-central and southeastern Minnesota through Friday, June 23, at 9 p.m. 

Counties include Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Kanabec, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Nicollet, Olmstead, Pine, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, and Wright 

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

Burning restrictions are also in place for Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties due to high fire danger. Additional counties may have burnings restrictions as well. 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.