{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.6e20a686ef023a698baffec8ccb26a7703812bc3.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.6e20a686ef023a698baffec8ccb26a7703812bc3.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Grand Forks ND"},"word_count":232,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** West Polk; Norman; Clay; Kittson; Roseau; Lake Of The Woods; West Marshall; East Marshall; North Beltrami; Pennington; Red Lake; East Polk; North Clearwater; South Beltrami; Mahnomen; South Clearwater; Hubbard; West Becker; East Becker; East Otter Tail; Wadena\n**Issued by:** NWS Grand Forks ND\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T16:20:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T16:15:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T11:00:00-05:00\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...East central, central, north central, and northwest\nMinnesota.\n\n* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.\n\n* IMPACTS...The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.\n\n* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy smoke will continue. Some clearing will\nbe possible on Friday before an area of low pressure will approach\nthe region and push smoke back to the south and west across the alert\narea.\n\n## Instructions\nSensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including\nasthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid\nall physical activities outdoors. The general public should avoid\nprolonged or heavy exertion.\n\nReduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such\nas outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.\n\nReduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible.\n\nKeep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors."}