MPCA issues MN's longest-ever air quality alert for Canadian wildfire smoke

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency extended its initial air quality alert for much of Minnesota on Tuesday, July 29, extending its forecast into the weekend.

The extended alert is tied for the longest air quality alert in the state with the St. Louis County Greenwood Fire in 2021, according to the MPCA. The alert also marks the state's longest air quality alert from Canadian wildfire smoke.

An alert this long is unusual, said Ryan Lueck, an air quality forecaster at the MPCA. Typical weather patterns allow smoke to enter Minnesota and exit within a day or two.

"But in this case, we have that strong high pressure right on the heels of multiple days of smoke being directed towards Minnesota," Lueck said. "It's certainly possible that we could have the future alerts that extend for longer than five days, but it it would be rare."

Northerly winds on the east side of a high-pressure system over southern Canada are steering wildfire smoke from Saskatchewan and Manitoba into the state Wednesday, and the system will keep the smoke at the surface.

"Smoke may remain over the state until Saturday when winds finally switch from the south," stated the MPCA's forecast.

Air quality index, or AQI, on Wednesday morning showed scores of 155 around Bemidji and 180 in Hibbing.

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MPCA

Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and fatigue. Fine particles can worsen symptoms from conditions like heart disease and asthma.

"In Minnesota, higher AQIs in the summer are increasingly attributed to smoke from the Canadian wildfires and those in the northern Rockies," stated the MPCA.

With no indication of wet or cool conditions for Canada and upcoming August temperatures, it's likely Minnesota will see more opportunities for poor air quality through the end of summer into fall, Lueck said.