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If you\u2019re in the northern part of the Central United States and the skies look smoky, here\u2019s why: Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin were under an air quality alert on Monday morning because of wildfire smoke from Canada. <\/span><\/p>\n On Sunday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the alert for the entire state, which was set to expire at noon Eastern on Monday. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality alert for northwestern Wisconsin that was set to last through 10 a.m. on Monday. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Fine particle levels were expected to reach the red air quality index category, the agency said, which also warned that was \u201ca level considered unhealthy for everyone, across all of Minnesota.\u201d In those areas, officials said, everybody, and particularly sensitive people, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and should limit their time outdoors. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The smoke drifted to Minnesota on Sunday, behind a cold front, according to forecasters. In the northern part of the state, air quality had been expected to improve overnight, but smoke was still expected to persist through about midday. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The smoke in Minnesota and Wisconsin is considered unhealthy for everybody, officials said. <\/p>\n \u201cAir moves long distances and carries pollutants,\u201d the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said. During air quality alerts caused by wildfires, the air is mixed with harmful smoke. How long wildfire smoke lingers depends on the size of the fires, the wind and the weather. <\/p>\nThe air quality is unhealthy for everyone. <\/h2>\n
There are several fires burning in Canada. <\/h2>\n