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.
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And: Highway 7 near Iron will be closed for about five days starting Monday; and the U of M seeks nominations from NW MN for Growing Local Leadership course. -
Megan Buffington/KAXENevis Public School reported the student for threatening to bring a gun to school on Sept. 11, 2025. -
Contributed/Minnesota DNRThe Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority is seeking 12-15 members from Cook and Lake counties to serve on an advisory committee for the Taconite Harbor Redevelopment Project. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEBeltrami County is proposing a 41% reduction in community funding for libraries in Blackduck and Bemidji, as well as the Beltrami County Historical Society and Paul Bunyan Transit, for the 2026 budget. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 9, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer talks fall colors, fuzzy caterpillars and hummingbird migration. -
The cost is 40 cents per pound for businesses and billing will be accomplished through the landfill office on Sept. 18, 2025. Computer equipment and other electronics are accepted. -
Events this week include Flapjack Festival in Brainerd, 'Annie' in Pequot Lakes, Open Mic Night in Park Rapids, Starapalooza at Long Lake Conservation Center and the Fall Bazaar in Buhl. -
Plus: Walz appointed a Roseau County attorney to be the next Ninth District judge; a new study from the U of M School of Public Health found that access to obstetric care across the country has declined, hitting rural communities the hardest; the Superior National Forest will begin prescribed burns this week; and Paul Bunyan Communications says progress is on track for its broadband expansion projects in St. Louis and Itasca counties.
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Contributed/USDA Forest ServicePrescribed burning will begin in the eastern portion of the forest in the Gunflint and Tofte ranger districts, with burns in the western part slated when weather conditions allow. -
Contributed/Commission on Judicial SelectionRoseau County Assistant Attorney Michael Grover will assume the bench in Roseau upon the retirement of Judge Donna K. Dixon in the 9th Judicial District.
