The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Advisory for PM2.5 which will remain in effect until 10:00 AM CDT Monday morning. This advisory affects people living in the following counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Green Lake, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette - North, Marinette - South, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto - North, Oconto - South, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Richland, Rusk, Saint Croix, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Washburn, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood. The first round of Canadian wildfire smoke of 2024 is currently being observed in Minnesota and far northwest Wisconsin. Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) to Unhealthy PM2.5 AQI will be possible as the smoke plume moves into the state behind a cold front. PM2.5 concentrations are likely to remain elevated through Sunday afternoon and evening across northwest Wisconsin. Smoke will then continue moving from northwest-to-southeast behind the cold front Sunday night into Monday morning and is expected to eventually impact the entire state come Monday. Currently, Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) AQI PM2.5 concentrations are anticipated Monday before transitioning back towards Moderate to Good AQI later Monday into Tuesday. The current Air Quality Advisory will be updated Monday morning after we reassess the situation. Since the air quality index could reach the UNHEALTHY level. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information on current air quality, please see: https://airquality.wi.gov

* 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. All of central and southern Minnesota. * WHEN. Until noon CDT Monday. * 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. A band of very heavy smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia has moved into northern Minnesota and will sweep south across the state on Sunday behind a cold front. The smoke will reach central Minnesota by Sunday afternoon and southern Minnesota by Sunday evening. The timing of maximum smoke impacts in the Twin Cities will be from around 5pm to 10pm - and this would be the time to avoid outdoor exertion if possible. Smoke will have a rapid onset as the front passes and will linger overnight before clearing Monday morning.