Air Quality Alert Extended for the Southern Half of Minnesota. 

Burning Permits will not be activated in affected counties on Sunday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended the Air Quality Alert until noon on Sunday, July 16, for the southern half of Minnesota as wildfire smoke from Canada continues to hang over the area. The air quality index will increase to Red in a large portion of the south, which is unhealthy for everyone. 

To reduce additional air pollutants, burning permits will not be issued or activated in counties affected by the Air Quality Alert and campfires are highly discouraged. 

For up-to-date information on fire danger and burning restrictions visit: www.mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions.

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