Tuesday, Aug. 12, brought some relief of Canadian wildfire smoke across much of Minnesota, but a new band is expected to move in across the northern region.
Northwest winds will bring another narrow band of ground-level smoke from wildfires in Canada into Northern Minnesota, prompting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to extend its air quality alert through 11 p.m. Wednesday. Smoke will reach as far south as Detroit Lakes, Brainerd and Hinckley by the end of the day on Tuesday.
High pressure will move into the region on Wednesday and winds will become light. Ground-level smoke will stall and continue to impact the northern one-third of the state on Wednesday, the MPCA stated. The smoke should begin to disperse and air quality should improve by Wednesday evening.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across Northern Minnesota. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
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The city formalized an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture at its meeting Aug. 11, 2025. Mitigation activity is expected to continue through the month. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEBemidji's Parks Superintendent Scott Schroeder said the extensive cleanup work at the park included removing 224 trees and stumps. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe observation is the latest in an ongoing issue related to DNR management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grants. -
Contributed/St. Croix Watershed Research StationToxic algae threaten protected lakes in the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. Sediment may have the answer. -
Contributed/Jeremie AlbinoThe Canadian singer-songwriter talks about his Dan Auerbach collaboration and fondness for "Canadian-sounding Minnesotans" ahead of Grand Rapids Riverfest. -
Contributed/Vladimir Sladek via PexelsEvery Friday morning, we get to know one of our members on "What's for Breakfast." This week, we talked with Billy Shaw from Blaine. -
And: Federal auditors note "competing priorities" between logging and wildlife in the Department of Natural Resources. -
Charlie Mitchell/KAXEThe herbicide will prepare 15 sites across Northern Minnesota for reforestation work. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEDillon Kloehn of Fargo was charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor for the Aug. 8, 2025, incident. Officer Kent Cleveland was placed on leave, which is standard procedure. -
Dani Fraher/KAXEThe service will add more than 60 stops in Cohasset, Deer River and Ball Club on Sept. 2, 2025, bringing the total to more than 150 stops in Itasca County.
