Grand Forks, North Dakota – Smoke from Canadian wildfires will begin impacting surface-level air quality across North Dakota by Saturday morning, posing health risks and cutting visibility through Sunday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, smoke concentrations will increase significantly near the ground starting early Saturday, particularly across eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. This includes cities like Fargo, Grand Forks, and Devils Lake, where visibility may drop to half a mile in some areas.
The agency warns of a “significant smoke event” that could affect individuals with respiratory conditions, young children, and older adults. Residents are urged to limit outdoor activity, close windows, and use air purifiers if available. The smoke is expected to remain concentrated near the surface through at least Sunday evening.
Travelers on I-29 and US-2 should prepare for reduced visibility and check for updated air quality alerts. Similar smoke intrusions last year led to temporary school closures and emergency room visits due to breathing issues.
NWS officials say it’s still unclear how long the worst of the surface-level smoke will persist, but updates will be issued as new data becomes available.
