More Than 200,000 People Told To Stay Indoors in 3 States [Video]

Air quality alerts were in effect across three states on Monday morning, with residents of Michigan, Minnesota and South Carolina warned of potential health impacts.

Why It Matters

Health officials say that vulnerable populations—such as children, older adults and individuals with existing respiratory issues—face heightened risks during periods of poor air quality.

What To Know

In Michigan and Minnesota, alerts were issued due to smoke impacts from Canadian wildfires, a notice posted by the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Michigan counties affected included Mackinac, Chippewa, Menominee, Keweenaw, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette, Baraga, Schoolcraft, Houghton, Delta, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Luce and Alger.

“It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as asthma,” read the alert.

The entirety of Minnesota was also under air quality alert.

“A cold front will continue to drag smoke from large wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan southward into Minnesota. This will be a long duration …