Moorhead, Minn. – Residents in northwestern Minnesota should limit time outdoors this weekend as air quality plunges to unhealthy levels starting early Saturday.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a Red-level Air Quality Alert is in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday for a wide swath of counties stretching from Roseau to Pope, including Moorhead, East Grand Forks, Bemidji, and Alexandria. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to push fine particle pollution (PM2.5) to levels that could affect even healthy individuals.
Cities in the alert zone may experience visibility reduction, respiratory irritation, and increased health risks, especially for vulnerable groups like children, seniors, and people with asthma or heart conditions. Residents are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, use air purifiers if available, and keep windows closed.
This weekend’s alert marks one of the season’s earliest widespread AQI warnings, and it could expand depending on wind patterns.
More updates are expected if conditions worsen or additional counties are added to the alert.
