Air Quality Alert Issued For Twin Cities Friday; Red Flag Warning In Northwestern Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- An air quality alert has been issued for parts of Minnesota on Friday, including the Twin Cities.

The alert will be in effect from noon until 9 p.m. in the east-central part of the state, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said.

"Air quality is expected to worsen Friday and Air Quality Index values are expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category," the MPCA said.

The agency recommends residents limit physical activity and stay away from local air pollution sources.

People with asthma or other breathing conditions, children and teenagers and those with ozone sensitivities are more likely to be affected by unhealthy air quality, the MPCA said.

Meanwhile, a red flag warning will go into effect Friday in northwestern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The warning affects Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.

Residents are advised not to burn anything outside due to "critical weather conditions that are ideal for wildfire," and to check any recent burns to confirm the fire is out.

The warning will expire at 9 p.m. Friday