Air quality alert for northern Minnesota until 3 p.m. Tuesday

It’s a record year for air quality alerts in Minnesota. Yet another air quality alert has been issued, this time for northern Minnesota due to another wave of Canadian wildfire smoke.

Air quality readings as of Monday afternoon are in the moderate range across northern Minnesota.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Rapid Refresh smoke model shows smoke across the northern parts of Minnesota at 10 p.m. Monday.

Here are the alert details from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northern Minnesota, effective from noon on Monday, July 31, through 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1. The affected area includes Bemidji, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.

Smoke from fires in Alberta and the Northwest Territories in Canada will drift southward today. The smoke will impact areas of northern Minnesota. Some smoke may move over Lake Superior and then cycle inward with the lake breeze in places such as Duluth, Two Harbors, and Silver Bay. The smoke will move northward back into Canada on Tuesday afternoon.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across northern Minnesota. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.