The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a statewide air quality alert from Sunday, August 10, through Tuesday, August 12, due to heavy wildfire smoke drifting in from the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Millions of residents, including drivers, are being urged to limit travel and outdoor activity as air quality worsens across the state.
Newsweek contacted the MPCA for comment via email outside of usual working hours on Sunday.
Why It Matters
The wildfire smoke has caused fine particle pollution levels to rise into the unhealthy range in many parts of Minnesota. Breathing in this smoke can aggravate respiratory and heart conditions, leading to symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. For those who spend extended time outdoors, exposure to poor air quality poses added health risks.
Drivers in particular should consider avoiding non-essential trips, especially those with preexisting health conditions.
What To Know
The alert covers the entire state, affecting urban and rural areas alike, including the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul; Brainerd; Rochester; Duluth; and multiple Tribal Nations. Western Minnesota is expected to see heavy surface smoke beginning Sunday morning, with smoke spreading eastward by evening and lingering until Tuesday morning.
The MPCA forecasts that central, east central, north central, and northeast Minnesota will experience air quality in the red zone—unhealthy for all residents. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities metro area and southern regions will face orange zone levels, which are unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with heart or lung disease.
Residents are advised to limit prolonged or heavy exertion and minimize time spent outdoors.
What People Are Saying
The MPCA in its air quality alert: “Air moves long distances and carries pollutants. During air quality alerts due to wildfires, the air is mixed with harmful smoke. Wildfire smoke spreads or lingers depending on the size of the fires, the wind, and the weather…
“Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible.”
What Happens Next
The air quality alert remains in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 12. The MPCA will continue monitoring smoke conditions and issue updates as needed. Residents should check the agency’s air quality forecast page regularly and follow health advisories.
Motorists and the general public are encouraged to reduce travel during this period and prioritize their health by limiting exposure to smoky air. More information can be accessed by doing the following, as per the MPCA:
- Visit MPCA’s Air Quality Index webpage for information on current air quality conditions in your area.
- Sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications though EnviroFlash.
- Download the EPA AirNow mobile app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
- Visit the MPCA’s Air quality and health webpage for information about health and indoor and outdoor air quality and how to prevent air pollution.
- Visit the Minnesota Department of Health wildfire smoke webpage for actions you can take to protect your health against wildfire smoke.
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