Minneapolis, MN – A massive swath of the Upper Midwest is facing dangerously poor air quality through Wednesday as wildfire smoke from Canada and stagnant ozone pollution choke skies across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of Ohio.
According to state and regional agencies, air quality indexes (AQI) are reaching “Unhealthy” to “Very Unhealthy” levels in central and northern Minnesota, with some areas nearing the hazardous “Maroon” category. In Ohio’s Miami Valley region—including Dayton, Springfield, and Troy—ozone concentrations are forecast to exceed safe thresholds from midnight Tuesday through the day. Wisconsin’s central and northern counties are under similar advisories as dense surface smoke pushes southeast across the state.
In Minnesota, where the alert stretches through Wednesday morning, visibility has dropped and residents in Duluth, Minneapolis, and Mankato are urged to stay indoors and avoid all strenuous outdoor activity. Meanwhile, Wisconsin officials warn smoke could spread statewide by midday Tuesday, impacting cities like Wausau, Eau Claire, and Green Bay.
Sensitive individuals—including children, seniors, and those with asthma or heart conditions—should limit outdoor exposure. Residents are advised to keep windows closed, run air purifiers, and delay fueling or mowing until after dark to reduce ozone creation.
State agencies expect conditions to improve slowly starting Wednesday, though updates may extend the alerts if smoke persists.
