The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued an Air Quality Alert for the entire state through midnight Friday due to widespread smoke from Canadian wildfires. Air quality levels are expected to reach unhealthy levels, especially for sensitive groups, including those with respiratory or heart conditions, children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
Moderate to heavy smoke will continue to impact Iowa over the next few days. The DNR is advising residents to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity and take frequent breaks if outdoors.
Similar conditions are affecting neighboring Minnesota, where an Air Quality Alert remains in effect through 5 p.m. Saturday. Wildfire smoke from Manitoba and Saskatchewan is contributing to Red-level, or unhealthy, air quality readings across much of the Upper Midwest.
Residents are encouraged to keep windows closed, reduce outdoor burning, and limit vehicle use to help reduce air pollution during the alert period.
