PARKWOOD HILLS - OUR BACKYARD WEATHER

* 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 Red or Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...Southeastern Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS... Some members of the general public may experience
health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults,
may experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... Dense smoke is being pulled by a quasi-
stationary front across southern Minnesota. While the front has stalled
smoke has continued to move south along the Mississippi River
Valley and may continue to do so today. There will be a sharp
gradient of smoke, with some areas of the same counties
experiencing Good/Green air quality while other experience
Red/Unhealthy for All conditions as the front slowly moves south.
Conditions will gradually improve by Friday morning as the front
retreats northward.

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should remain
indoors and keep activity levels low. The general public should avoid
all physical activities outdoors. Reduce or eliminate activities
that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of
residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle
idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent
smoke from getting indoors.

* 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 Red or Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...Southeastern Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health
effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may
experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dense smoke is being pulled by a quasi-
stationary front across southern Minnesota. Smoke will arrive along
the I-90 corridor Wednesday evening. The smoke will have a rapid
onset with visibility rapidly declining. There will be a sharp
gradient of smoke, with some areas of the same counties experiencing
Good/Green air quality while other experience Red/Unhealthy for All
conditions as the front slowly moves south. Conditions will gradually
improve by Friday morning as the front retreats northward.

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should remain
indoors and keep activity levels low.

The general public should avoid physical activities outdoors.

Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible.

Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.

Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,
such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.