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.
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.
-
Plus: A new conservation easement protects more than 900 acres on North Shore; Cohasset to host comprehensive plan meeting; and more Northland HS sports results. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEHarper is accused of resisting arrest by Deputy Michael Cowan on May 4, 2026 as deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Max, in rural northwestern Itasca County. -
Contributed/Rock Ridge Public Schools via FacebookIt was the team's sixth-straight state tournament. Singles and duos from Rock Ridge and other rural Northland schools also hit the courts in tourney action. -
Contributed/PexelsSix rural Northland teams competed in state softball tournament in Mankato on June 2-5, 2026. The Barnum girls were consolation runners-up. -
Contributed/Kirk Erickson via Darrin SmedsmoThe dispute drew the attention of international media and pilots' associations, raising concerns about the rights of distressed pilots while making emergency landings. -
Plus: the Rock Ridge boys' tennis team took fourth at state and many Northland golfers will head to state next week after qualifying.
-
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerA Detroit Lakes food co-op and independent food stores like it show a resilient rural Minnesota. -
Contributed/briandjan607 via FlickrThe Emergency Forest Order will be in effect in all areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness beginning at midnight on June 6, 2026. -
Lorie ShaullThe five-month process reviewed Medicaid providers in 13 service areas in all 87 counties, with more than 3,400 providers disenrolled by the state's Department of Human Services. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionFollowing high-profile fraud cases, Minnesota will join other states in overhauling systems to comply with stricter Medicaid work requirements.
