Duluth, Minnesota – Residents across northeast Minnesota should limit outdoor exposure immediately, as wildfire smoke is expected to push air quality into the Hazardous category through Monday morning. Unlike many air quality events that primarily affect sensitive groups, this alert warns that everyone faces an increased risk from the dense smoke.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, an Air Quality Alert remains in effect until 11 a.m. Monday for northeast Minnesota, including Duluth, Ely, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais and surrounding communities. Fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke is forecast to reach the Maroon, or Hazardous, category on the Air Quality Index, the highest level included in this alert.
Heavy smoke is expected to persist across the region through the weekend and into Monday. Officials also noted that another plume of smoke may move south from Canada, potentially expanding the alert into parts of east-central and southeastern Minnesota if conditions worsen.
Health officials recommend that everyone avoid physical activity outdoors until air quality improves. People with asthma, heart disease, other lung conditions, older adults and children should remain indoors with activity kept to a minimum. Residents are also encouraged to keep windows closed, reduce vehicle trips and idling, avoid outdoor burning and limit the use of residential wood-burning devices to help prevent additional pollution.
Smoke can also affect pets and livestock, so owners should minimize the amount of time animals spend outdoors during the worst conditions.
Residents should continue monitoring updates from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and AirNow.gov, as additional air quality alerts or extensions remain possible if wildfire smoke continues to spread across the region through early next week.
