Canadian wildfire smoke prompts air quality alert for northeast Minnesota

Wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada has prompted an air quality alert for northeast Minnesota through early Thursday.

“Smoke from wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba has been transported into northeast Minnesota by northerly winds. Heavy ground-level smoke has become trapped over Lake Superior and will continue to impact areas along the lakeshore,” the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported Wednesday morning.

The air quality alert includes Duluth and the North Shore, as well as the Iron Range and Ely, for air quality readings in the orange category — meaning unhealthy for sensitive groups.

It’s in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday. Find updated air quality conditions on the MPCA’s website.

The MPCA said a changeover to southerly winds on Wednesday will start pushing the smoke out of the region.

Until then, officials are urging people in northeast Minnesota — especially children, older adults, pregnant people and people with lung and heart conditions — to limit time spent outdoors, and limit prolonged or heavy exertion.

While the air quality alert is only for northeast Minnesota, the MPCA was reporting air quality in the yellow, or moderate, category across the rest of eastern Minnesota as of late Wednesday morning.

Good air quality is expected statewide on Thursday. More wildfire smoke may enter western Minnesota on Friday.

• 2 wildfires burn in Superior National Forest, closing some BWCA portages and campsites
• Amur tiger cubs explore their habitat in public debut at Minnesota Zoo
• A Duluth cat was found underground after missing for nearly two months