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Remember to keep pets, livestock safe from wildfire smoke, professional says

Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Boundary Waters creates a hazy sunset at the Big Sandy Fire Tower in McGregor on July 16, 2026. Air quality was in the maroon Acatagory for much of the day.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Wildfire smoke from Canada and the Boundary Waters creates a hazy sunset at the Big Sandy Fire Tower in McGregor on July 16, 2026. Smoke in the atmosphere creates orange sunrises and sunsets by scattering incoming sunlight and filtering out shorter, blue wavelengths; the process is called Mie scattering.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is reminding people to be mindful of the impacts of wildfire smoke on animals, too, amid hazardous air quality in Northern Minnesota.

People aren't the only ones impacted by wildfire smoke.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reminds people to be mindful of pets, horses and wildlife, too.

"If you are seeing or feeling the effects on yourself as a human, you definitely want to take precautions for your animals," said Dr. Jen Quammen, president of the AVMA.

Smoke from wildfires in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is creating hazardous air quality throughout much of Northern Minnesota, starting Monday, July 13, with the worst conditions in the Ely area and along the North Shore.

Quammen, who grew up spending her summers in Bemidji, said the symptoms to watch for in your pets are the same ones you might experience: irritated eyes, coughing or difficulty breathing.

Pets are really good at hiding their symptoms until they can't anymore, she added, so it's best to be extra cautious and reduce exposure to smoke as soon as possible.

When is it time to call your vet?

"You know when your dog is being normal, and you know when they're not," she said. "And if there are things that seem out of the ordinary, it's always worth reaching out to the veterinarian because we are the animal health experts."

Find more information from AVMA on how to keep your furry friends safe here.

Megan Buffington joined the KAXE newsroom in 2024 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Originally from Pequot Lakes, she is passionate about educating and empowering communities through local reporting.
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