The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has expanded an air quality alert to include most of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is moving across the state from north to south. The resulting rise of fine particles in the air could cause issues for sensitive groups and people who are doing extended physical activity outdoors.

The alert will be in effect from 8 p.m. Friday through noon Sunday. Winds are expected to shift to the south by Sunday afternoon, which should improve air quality, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

Minnesota was under a statewide air quality alert last weekend as the Canadian wildfire smoke drifted over the region. A change in wind direction Sunday afternoon cleared out the haze.

The MPCA posts information about statewide air quality on its website.