Wildfire Smoke Returns To MN: When Will It Go Away?

MINNEAPOLIS — Smoke from the ongoing wildfires in Canada has once again returned to Minnesota. As of Saturday morning, air quality in the Twin Cities metro area was in the "orange" zone, meaning it's "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

Saturday's poor air quality can aggravate heart and lung disease as well as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and fatigue.

People in sensitive groups are advised to reduce outdoor physical activities during this time. Check out current air quality conditions in the state on the PCA website.

When will the smoke go away?

The good news is that the air quality is expected to improve Sunday when pollution will return to the "yellow" or "moderate" zone across the state.

"The smoke will slowly dissipate on Saturday afternoon from north to south," the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said in its latest alert.

"Smoke will hang on from the MN river southward."

The air quality will stay in the yellow zone through Wednesday, according to the current forecast. It's not clear when the next "green" day will occur for the Twin Cities.

Minnesota's air quality has suffered tremendously throughout the summer due to the devastating wildfires in Canada.

"With hundreds of wildfires burning from coast to coast, Canada is experiencing its most destructive wildfire season on record," states the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

"The acreage burned in 2023 has surpassed the amount of land burned in 1989, which previously held Canada’s annual record. Canadian officials have declared a 'national preparedness level 5' in response to the wildfires, 'indicating full commitment of national resources is ongoing, demand for resources is extreme, and international resources are being mobilized.'"