Minnesotans will get their first whiff of Canadian wildfire smoke this spring after several fires developed across eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba on Thursday afternoon.
A brief period of dense smoke is expected to move across the state from the northwest to the southeast along a cold front, severely degrading air quality.
The National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota, said the smoke will likely linger anywhere from two to five hours in any one location, reaching central Minnesota by about 1 p.m.
"Consider altering outdoor plans during the period of thickest smoke," the weather service stated.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reported an air quality alert was not anticipated due to the short window of time the smoke would be present.
The air sensor in Winnipeg showed just how quickly and dramatically the smoke affected air quality early Friday morning, going from "Good" to "Very Unhealthy" and back to "Good" in about two hours, the MPCA shared.
-
Make the copy for seriousness. -
Contributed/briandjan607 via FlickrPositions include the 7th and 8th congressional districts in Northern MN. The board provides leadership and coordination on environmental issues, and chances for public engagement. -
Contributed/University of MinnesotaResearchers tested 10 fungi from MN to assess for their ability to kill the pests when used in traps. The method may be useful in hard-to-access forests in Northern Minnesota. -
Jennifer Barr/KAXEThis week, we asked about your holiday cookie favorites and traditions. We also had a special in-studio guest on "What's for Breakfast." Nancy Shaw not only talked cookies, but brought a plate in to KAXE! -
Contributed/John Connelly / Grand Rapids Itasca Mountain Bicycling AssociationThe Grand Rapids Itasca Mountain Bike Association has a mission to increase mountain bike opportunities for all ages and abilities — and all seasons. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe findings offer some hope that the decades-long decline of teen mental health, especially worsened in the 2022 survey amid the COVID-19 pandemic, could be turning around. -
Contributed/Google MapsMnDOT bridge engineers are making this temporary change to safely accommodate heavy timber truck traffic during the winter months. -
Contributed/Minnesota Pollution Control AgencySome areas are facing emerging risks for nutrient levels and E. coli in the Mississippi River basin watershed encompassing parts of Becker, Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena counties. -
Contributed/Michelle Griffith via Minnesota ReformerMike Lindell enters a crowded field of GOP candidates who believe they’re best able to beat Gov. Tim Walz, who is running for a third term next year. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesInvestigators from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found sediment from a filled wetland discharged into nearby Trout Lake in Itasca County.
