The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported Friday that air quality in Iowa will be at levels “unhealthy for sensitive groups” through Saturday, due to smoke from wildfires in Canada. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards advise that fine particulate matter should not exceed averages of 35 micrograms per cubic meter in a 24-hour period.

Smoke from wildfires blazing across Canada is once again wafting over huge portions of the Midwest and worsening air quality, with conditions particularly bad on August 1 in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

The Iowa DNR has placed an air quality alert for much of the state due to "moderate to heavy" smoke conditions. The alert will likely be lifted at midnight on Friday.