Nearly the entire state of Minnesota is experiencing impacts to air quality Thursday, July 11, because of smoke from Canadian wildfires.
The conditions persisted for the fourth day in some parts of the state, particularly northwestern Minnesota, with the Bemidji area reporting hazy skies. A high-pressure system with light winds is contributing to the fine particles lingering over the region, registering as moderate on the Air Quality Index.
In its air quality forecast, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported this weather pattern is expected to shift east later in the week, with winds switching to the southwest. This is expected to blow the smoke out of central and southern Minnesota for Friday and entirely out of the area by the weekend.
The smoke isn't the only concern when it comes to air quality, however. The MPCA stated increasing temperatures and mostly sunny skies may cause ozone to rise well into the yellow/moderate AQI category.
The AQI in Minnesota is determined by hourly measurements of five pollutants: fine particles, ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Fine particles pollution can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and fatigue. The pollution can also make conditions worse for those with cardiovascular or heart disease, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
Funding for this environmental story was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
-
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Tattletale, Known Only Locally and Friends, Kelley Smith and Jon Edwards. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEMore than 100 people crowded into the Beltrami County Board room in support of public libraries and the local museum as commissioners voted 4-1 to adopt its 2026 preliminary budget and levy. -
Contributed/Jerry Burnes/Iron Range TodayMinnesota's wild rice sulfate standard has been in place since the 1970s but has been lightly enforced. With that changing, Rangers are worried about the potential economic consequences. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashA 17-year-old Waubun boy was killed in a single-vehicle rollover, and a 53-year-old Mahnomen man was killed as a passenger in a crash with a tractor on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. -
Contributed/Lorie Shaull via FlickrA kickoff meeting for the group is set for Sept. 24, 2025, at the Mountain Iron Community Center. The coalition was prompted by concerning trends on the Range. -
Contributed/Allison AufderheideDuring the week of Sept. 16, 2025, we enjoy the first batch of reports from the school year. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Contributed/Aurora Center for the ArtsAurora Center for the Arts is hosting UpNorth LitFest Sept. 25-26, 2025, in Fosston. Bonnie Stewart joined “Area Voices” to discuss the guests hosting workshops. -
The University of Minnesota Extension is offering a series of healthy aging webinars in September, plus they offer other online resources all year long on the topic. -
And: Zebra mussels confirmed in Boy Lake; Crow Wing County accepting electronic waste Thursday; and Lake and Cook county residents can apply for Taconite Harbor redevelopment advisory committee. -
Contributed/Leech Lake Band of OjibweThe new shelter is expected to open in summer 2026 and will double the current shelter's capacity, along with adding a classroom, children's play area and visitation space.
