North Dakota ranks second only to Texas in mercury emissions from EPA-regulated power sector sources. Driven by the low-grade coal found in North Dakota, several of the state's power plants rank among the heaviest mercury-polluting coal facilities in the country.
More Air Quality Concerns as Wildfire Smoke Lingers newsdakota.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newsdakota.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
KVRR Local News
July 29, 2021
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Heavy smoke and haze fill the Red River Valley as Canadian wildfires continue to burn.
“Well, it’s pretty smoky, and I can feel it,” said Dawn of Sauk Centre who is visiting Moorhead. “My eyes burn. I kind of have a little cough. It’s very uncomfortable.”
Uncomfortable and according to the U.S. Air Quality Index, the air in the Red River Valley is “very unhealthy.”
“Various weather patterns have been blowing the smoke to different places at different times,” explained Jim Semerad, director of the Division of Air Quality at the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. “In Fargo, for example, overnight last night wasn’t too bad but this morning, it increased rapidly and got to the point where we’re watching it very, very carefully.”
Wildfire smoke returns to Red River Valley; air quality slowly improving
“If this was an industrial source, we would have an enforcement action available,” said Jim Semerad, director of air quality for the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Written By: Patrick Springer | ×
Traffic moves along I-94 in smoky weather conditions on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. David Samson / The Forum
FARGO Thick haze that shrouded the Red River Valley resulted in unhealthy air quality including a brief spell of very unhealthy air Wednesday, July 21 when smoke from Canadian wildfires lingered.
The arrival of the smoky Canadian air, which took a roundabout route in reaching the Red River Valley after first swooping through the Twin Cities, delivered some of the worst air quality in recent memory.
State implores feds for more rancher aid; heat setting more records in North Dakota bismarcktribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bismarcktribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.