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### Why It Matters
Poor air quality poses a greater risk of serious health problems for vulnerable individuals, including children, older adults, and those with heart or lung conditions.
### What To Know
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended its Air Quality Alert through 9 a.m. on Monday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the “Very Unhealthy” category in some regions—meaning even healthy people face an increased risk of harmful effects. A thick blanket of smoke has already moved into parts of Minnesota, with a second wave expected by Saturday afternoon.
The NWS recommends that everyone, especially sensitive groups, stay indoors and avoid outdoor exercise, keeping windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from entering homes.
In Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources issued an Air Quality Advisory for nearly every county. Fine particle pollution (PM2.5) is forecasted to reach unhealthy levels between early Saturday and noon on Monday. Conditions are expected to gradually improve on Sunday but remain poor statewide into Monday morning.
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In Colorado, the Department of Public Health and Environment issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke covering much of southern and western parts of the state. Multiple wildfires have produced moderate to heavy smoke through early Saturday morning. If visibility drops below five miles, residents are urged to limit or avoid outdoor activities entirely. An Ozone Action Day Alert is in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor, including Denver and surrounding counties.
New Jersey has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for parts of the state, where ground-level ozone levels could reach concentrations considered unsafe for children, seniors, and those with asthma or heart disease. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday and reduce driving and other activities that worsen local air pollution.
### What People Are Saying
– **Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:** “An air quality alert has been issued due to wildfire smoke until 9 a.m. on 7/14. Air quality is expected to reach the purple category, very unhealthy for everyone, in northern MN & will be in the red & orange categories in southern MN.”
– **Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment:** “Ozone will remain in the Good to Moderate range on Friday but reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category on Saturday.”
– **New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection:** “An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been declared for Saturday, July 12th! Sensitive individuals should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours. As a result, ozone levels will reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category in northern portions of the state, while southern and coastal areas will remain in the moderate range. Fine particulates are expected to drop to low-moderate levels in northern and central New Jersey, and fall to good levels elsewhere.”
### What Happens Next
Air quality warnings are in place until up to noon on Monday.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, what time on Monday will the Air Quality Alert be extended to?
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