{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.a6cedba716ab92cab2e00d47de9bf4d3ebd88175.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 4:21PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN","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.a6cedba716ab92cab2e00d47de9bf4d3ebd88175.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN"},"word_count":241,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 4:21PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Douglas; Todd; Morrison; Mille Lacs; Kanabec; Stearns; Benton; Sherburne; Isanti; Chisago; Wright; Hennepin; Anoka; Ramsey; Washington; Dakota; Goodhue\n**Issued by:** NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T16:21:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T16:21:00-05:00\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...Central Minnesota\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 to disperse and\nretreat to the north this evening into Friday morning, with\nimprovements in air quality from south to north with time. On\nFriday, an area of low pressure moves through the region and\nfurther improves air quality for all but northeastern Minnesota.\nthe air quality alert expires at 11am for most of the state, but\nwill continue through Monday for northeastern 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 activities outdoors. The general public should\navoid prolonged or heavy exertion.\n\nReduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,\nsuch as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning\ndevices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as\npossible.\n\nKeep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting\nindoors."}