'Burnt Plastic Smell' Will Envelope Twin Cities Metro, MPCA Warns

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota early Thursday morning. The alert — prompted by more heavy, ground-level smoke blown from Canada's ongoing wildfires — won't expire until 11 p.m. on Friday.

The Twin Cities metro and areas north will see the worst of the smoke, where fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index category. The air will be unhealthy for everyone.

"This smoke incursion is expected to be a significant one," the MPCA said, with smoke extremely visible.

Additionally, the MPCA said that "because these fires are so far away from MN the smoke odor may be more akin to a burnt plastic smell instead of a wood smoke smell" due to "chemical transformations that occur as the smoke plume is oxidized in the atmosphere as it travels."

Minnesotans shouldn't expect air quality to improve until Saturday night, officials said, but there is a chance that the smoke could linger even longer. The heat wave arriving this weekend will only make things worse.

"The one wild card will also be if this smoke creates any ozone issues as it moves north," the MPCA adds. "This has happened several times this year and a situation we will closely monitor. With the warm temperatures expected next week any ozone will be especially impactful as excessive heat and poor air quality can create an enhanced impact."

If you live in one of the affected areas, you may experience symptoms such as:

• irritated eyes, nose, and throat
• coughing
• chest tightness
• shortness of breath

People are advised to avoid prolonged or vigorous activities and consider moving outdoor events inside.

Health officials recommend people reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure.

Here's the specific NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Thursday: Widespread haze between 1pm and 3pm. Areas of smoke after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Widespread haze after 8pm. Areas of smoke before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Friday: Widespread haze before 8am. Areas of smoke after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Widespread haze before 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east northeast after midnight.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 93. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.