Air Quality Alert Warns Twin Cities Smoke Will Be 'Unhealthy For Everyone'

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for the Twin Cities metro and much of the state, effective 9 a.m. Tuesday through 11 a.m. Friday, as wildfire smoke moves in from northern Minnesota.

The alert covers the Twin Cities metro along with east central, central, west central, southeast, north central, and northwest Minnesota. Air quality in the metro is forecast to reach the red category, unhealthy for everyone.

Forecasters say a frontal boundary will push heavy smoke into the Twin Cities Tuesday evening into Wednesday, with the onset expected to be rapid.

The smoke is then likely to continue into southeastern Minnesota, and additional rounds could return to the metro from Thursday into Friday morning. Hot temperatures this week will add to the health risks.

Officials say sensitive groups, including people with asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, along with pregnant people, children and older adults, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time outdoors. Everyone else is also advised to cut back on extended or vigorous outdoor activity.

Conditions are expected to be worse farther north, where the fire-affected Arrowhead region is forecast to see purple and maroon level air, very unhealthy to hazardous for everyone. Officials recommend checking the MPCA's Air Quality Index page for updates, and anyone with chest pain, trouble breathing or possible signs of a heart attack or stroke should call 911.

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