Wright County has been included in a growing number of counties listed in an Air Quality Alert by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The five-county Twin City metro area has been under the daily alerts since last weekend, but this afternoon the number of counties has expanded to include Wright, Sherburne, Stearns, Benton and Isanti counties.

The current alert, which expires at 9 p.m., was issued because the MPCA determined the nine counties had reached the Orange Category – which is unhealthy for sensitive groups like children, the elderly and those with breathing problems. Hot temperatures and light winds create an environment unhealthy for the emission of nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds that quickly form ozone.

With hot weather continuing throughout the week, there is the likelihood more Air Quality Alerts will be issued this week.