Wildfire smoke breaks MN PCA record with 6 days of air quality alerts

ST. PAUL — The 2021 record for longest air quality alert was broken last week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said, with six straight days of poor air quality across the state.

Most of the smoke moved out of the area Sunday, Aug. 3. But another alert that begins Tuesday was already issued for part of the state on Monday.

These brief breaks can be expected for the next few months, according to the PCA. Matt Taraldsen is a meteorologist with the state agency and said any northern front could bring more unhealthy air until at least winter.

"The fires that are burning in Canada are burning both above ground and below ground in the peat bogs, and they're not going to be put out by the time winter falls. So we're thinking that winter is going to be what finally puts them out," Taraldsen said.

"And so, unfortunately, anytime we have northerly flow for the rest of the summer into the fall is fair game for wildfire smoke, depending on the weather conditions."

Taraldsen advised Minnesotans to check air quality daily as they plan out the rest of their summers.

"People can be outdoors when the air quality is poor. You just have to pay attention to what your body's telling you," Taraldsen said.

"Pay attention to those symptoms: burning eyes, itchy throat; those are the first symptoms that something's going on. Your body's being stressed by smoke, and that's when you want to go indoors or into an area that has cleaner air."

Another air quality alert goes into effect early Tuesday for northeastern Minnesota through noon Wednesday. The northwestern and north central parts of the state may also be impacted in the coming days.