{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.41769e092a57d43c452a4ed9eba2f9a080bca875.002.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:36PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-17","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.41769e092a57d43c452a4ed9eba2f9a080bca875.002.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Duluth MN"},"word_count":240,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:36PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Koochiching; North Itasca; South Itasca; Northern Aitkin\n**Issued by:** NWS Duluth MN\n**Sent:** 2026-07-17T12:36:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-17T12:36:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-20T11:00:00-05:00\n\n## Description\n* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air\nQuality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index\n(AQI) is expected to reach the Purple or Very Unhealthy category.\n\n* WHERE...Northeast Minnesota.\n\n* WHEN...Until 6 PM CDT Friday.\n\n* IMPACTS...Everyone is more likely to be affected.\n\n* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...While heavy smoke retreats across portions\nof north central and northeastern Minnesota today, heavy smoke is\nexpected to persist across much of northeastern Minnesota through\nthe weekend and into Monday. A separate area of heavy smoke will\nmove across northwestern Minnesota this morning and afternoon.\nNorthwestern Minnesota should see improved air quality by this\nevening. Additional heavy smoke may move south from Canada this\nweekend, and the air quality alert may need to be extended into\neast central and southeastern Minnesota.\n\n## Instructions\nSensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including\nasthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should\navoid all physical activity outdoors. The general public should\navoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Reduce or eliminate activities\nthat contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and\nuse of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and\nvehicle idling as much as possible. Keep windows closed overnight\nto prevent smoke from getting indoors."}