ST. PAUL - Smoke from eastern Kansas and Nebraska fires is making breathing difficult for many Minnesotans.
The fires south of Lincoln, Neb., caused the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Thursday to warn people in western Minnesota, from Canada to Iowa, and the Twin Cities that air could be dangerous.
The agency reported that the warning extends at least into Friday morning as strong southerly winds carry the smoke. At some point Friday, winds are expected to shift to the southeast, which would ease the smoke influence.
Until then, the MPCA reports that "fine particle pollution is expected to remain near a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups." Those groups include people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease, the elderly, children and people involved in heavy exertion, either inside or outdoors.
"Members of these groups are encouraged to postpone or reduce vigorous activity and minimize exposure to local sources of air pollution," an agency news release advised.
Even healthy people could be affected, the agency said.
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The smoke could cause some people chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or fatigue.
