Minneapolis, Minnesota – A new surge of wildfire smoke is blanketing much of Minnesota today, cutting air quality and raising health concerns for residents across the state through early Tuesday morning.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, an initial pocket of heavy smoke has exited northern Minnesota, allowing air quality alerts there to expire. However, another area of dense wildfire smoke from western Ontario has been swept southeast to Lake Michigan, only to be driven back northwest into southeastern Minnesota by shifting winds. This means unhealthy air is now spreading northward across the Twin Cities and into Duluth.
Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and Duluth are all seeing moderate to unhealthy air quality levels, especially for sensitive groups. U.S. Highway 52 and I-35 corridors are under particular advisory as visibility and air quality fluctuate. The US National Weather Service Duluth warns the smoky conditions may persist into Tuesday morning before clearing out. People are urged to limit outdoor activities, keep windows closed, use air purifiers, and monitor vulnerable family members for respiratory symptoms.
A second round of wildfire smoke could arrive in northwestern Minnesota Wednesday morning, potentially spreading southeast—though there is still some uncertainty about its path. Residents should stay alert for additional air quality advisories this week as the situation evolves.
