Safeguarding tax dollars is our priority. Report suspicious activity.
Preparing for wildfires season
Wildfires can generate enormous amounts of smoke that produce poor air quality for Minnesota. Wildfires can make air unhealthy and harm people, including those with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, and children. While air pollution affects everyone, children and youth are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing, and they breathe in more air than adults for their body weight.
Outdoor air guidance
The Minnesota outdoor air quality guidance for schools and child care helps child care providers make decisions that will protect children. The Minnesota Department of Health developed an outdoor activity guidance linked to the Air Quality Index to share when and how to adjust outdoor activities when air pollution levels are elevated, such as when wildfire smoke moves into the area. The goal is to help kids stay active while protecting their health. Download the guidance document, which is now also available in Spanish.
Wildfire smoke webinar recording available
State staff hosted an information session to give youth program leaders practical tools for making informed decisions on unhealthy air quality days. It covered how air quality is monitored, how wildfire smoke affects the body, key symptoms to watch for, and ways to reduce exposure. The recording (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhViHlk-0o4) offers clear, actionable guidance on how to help protect children when the air turns smoky. For more information on wildfire smoke and health, visit mn.gov/wildfiresmoke.