Unhealthy air from Canadian wildfires blankets Minnesota through Monday
MINNESOTA — The entire state remains under an air quality alert through Monday morning, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to push into the region, bringing hazy skies and unhealthy air conditions that are expected to last through the weekend.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), air quality could reach the purple category — which signals very unhealthy conditions for everyone — especially in the northern half of the state. Areas like Duluth, Bemidji, and Ely are likely to experience the worst impacts, with particle levels climbing and visibility dropping.
For the southern half of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro, air quality isn’t expected to be quite as hazardous, but will still sit in the orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) to red (unhealthy for everyone) range.
The MPCA says the first wave of smoke rolled into northwest Minnesota early Friday, with a second, denser plume arriving late in the evening. That second wave has since spread southeast, and by Saturday afternoon, nearly the entire state may be under a blanket of smoke.
“We’re expecting the smoke to be widespread and persistent through the weekend,” the agency said in a statement. “Conditions will vary depending on wind direction and the thickness of the smoke layers, but overall air quality is expected to remain poor across much of the state.”
Relief is on the horizon, at least for some. Western Minnesota may start to see improvements by Sunday morning, as cleaner air moves in from the west. Still, northern Minnesota could get hit by yet another round of smoke by Sunday night, depending on how the upper-level winds shift.
The Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from green (good) to maroon (hazardous), is currently showing elevated levels across most of Minnesota. Purple readings indicate conditions that can cause health problems even for those without preexisting issues.
Health officials are urging people to limit outdoor activities, especially children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions. Even for healthy individuals, long periods outdoors could lead to coughing, shortness of breath, or fatigue.
On the ground, the smoke is already impacting travel. Drivers along U.S. Highway 2 west of Bemidji on Friday afternoon were met with low visibility and intermittent rain, making road conditions more difficult.
For the latest on local air quality and guidance on how to stay safe, residents are encouraged to check the MPCA’s current air quality readings and forecasts throughout the weekend.
