Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News
Paul Huttner

Air quality alert into Wednesday for northern Minnesota

A larger smoke event may impact all of Minnesota starting Thursday.

Air Quality alert
Air Quality alert.
MPCA

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The latest Canadian wildfire smoke plume will drift across northern Minnesota into Wednesday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for much of northern Minnesota until 10 am Wednesday. Air quality is expected to reach into the unhealthy category across the region.

Here are the details on Minnesota’s latest air quality alert from MPCA.

Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category in northwest Minn., which is unhealthy for everyone.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northern Minn. The alert takes effect at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 15, and runs until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 16. The affected area includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, International Falls, Hibbing, Ely, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Red Lake and Leech Lake.

Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in the Northwest Territories of Canada is moving quickly across southern Manitoba and towards the Minn. border. The smoke is expected to reach northwest Minn. around noon on Tuesday. The smoke could reach as far south as Bemidji and as far east as Ely. The heaviest smoke will be across the northwest corner of the state. Winds across the region will become southerly by Wednesday morning and the smoke will quickly retreat and clear Minn. by 10 a.m. Another wave of smoke is expected to move into northwest Minn. by late Wednesday evening.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across northwest Minn. This area includes East Grand Forks, International Falls, Roseau, and the tribal nation of Red Lake. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors. 

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across northern Minn. This area includes Bemidji, Hibbing, Ely, and the tribal nation of Leech Lake. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

Another smoke event Thursday?

There are signs that another smoke wave may blow southward across more of Minnesota Thursday.

Air quality forecast for Minnesota
Air quality forecast for Minnesota Thursday.
MPCA

Here’s the latest forecast discussion from MPCA.

Updated Tue, Aug 15, 2023

Morning Update - Posted an air quality alert for today and tomorrow for northwestern and north central Minnesota. This smoke intrusion is not being well handled by the smoke models but is showing up well on air quality and weather observations in southern Canada. The alert will go through 10am Wednesday. There will be a respite from smoke before a larger and potentially more impactful wave of smoke arrives Thursday. More information on that will be posted in the afternoon forecast update.

Stay tuned.