The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and the Department of Health have issued an air quality alert due to smoke from Canadian wildfires affecting parts of the state.
The alert, effective until Saturday or until conditions improve, warns of reduced visibility and increased fine particulate matter pollution, particularly in areas north of I-90 such as Watertown and Aberdeen.
To mitigate the impact, children, seniors, and individuals with heart or lung conditions are advised to limit outdoor activities and maintain clean indoor air by keeping windows and doors closed.
The DANR website provides information on tracking PM2.5 concentrations and offers an explanation of the air quality index.