Air Quality Alert issued for entire northern half of Minnesota

Air Quality Alert 07/23/2025

(Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)

DULUTH, Minn. –  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has expanded the current air quality alert.

Nearly all of Minnesota north of St. Cloud is now in the new Red or “Unhealthy” Air Alert.

The affected area includes the International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely and Duluth.

It is in effect until Friday July 25, 2025 at 11 pm.

A band of heavy smoke from wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba is moving south across northwest Minnesota on Wednesday.

The smoke will remain over the northwest part of the state through the end of Wednesday, but by Thursday morning the smoke will reach southwest Minnesota.

Air quality should improve gradually from south to north beginning Friday afternoon, with improvement in fine particle levels below the alert threshold expected by the end of Friday.

Red air quality: Unhealthy

Sights and smells: In areas where air quality is in the red AQI category due to wildfires, the sky may look smoky. The air will look hazy, and you won’t be able to see long distances. You may smell smoke.

Health effects: This air is unhealthy for everyone. Anyone may begin to experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Sensitive or more exposed individuals may experience more serious health effects, including worsening of existing heart or lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart attack, or stroke.

What to do: Reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure. Sensitive and more exposed individuals should avoid prolonged or vigorous activities and consider shortening, rescheduling, or moving outdoor events inside.