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).
-
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bemidji Planning Board voted 6-1 to prohibit new developments of data centers greater than 10,000 square feet during its meeting Sept. 14, 2026. -
Contributed/USFWS Midwest RegionDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 15, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer discovers Nevada flora and fauna and notes seasonal transitions in Northern MN. -
Plus: DNR cancels mineral lease for Twin Metals; and ICE's immigration crackdown last winter may have ripple effects for farm labor during harvest season. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Ezra Collective, Sylvan Esso, Pokey LaFarge, Downtown Boys, Valerie June, Willi Carlisle, and Ex:Re. Plus our Pick From '76, Sparks. -
Contributed/Twin Metals Minnesota via MinnPostThe action comes weeks after executive action by Gov. Tim Walz halted the mining company's efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bureau of Indian Affairs announced it was assuming operations of family and children services in Red Lake following a raid on Sept. 10, 2026. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionAn estimated 15,000–20,000 seasonal agricultural workers arrive for work in Minnesota during the peak harvesting season, according to the National institutes of Health. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota lawmakers heard testimony Sept. 9, 2026, about the domino effects felt by people closely tied to human service programs as the state combats fraud. -
Contributed/MedicAlert UK via Unsplash.comThe standard began Sept. 10, 2026, following approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Aug. 11.
