276
AEUS73 KDLH 141707
AQADLH

Air Quality Alert Message
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Relayed by National Weather Service Duluth MN
1207 PM CDT Tue Jul 14 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-171600-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-North Itasca-
Central St. Louis-Southern Lake-Southern Cook-North Cass-
South Itasca-South Cass-Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-
Carlton and South St. Louis-Pine-
Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Isabella,
Bigfork, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Walker,
Grand Rapids, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, Aitkin, Duluth,
Pine City, and Hinckley
1207 PM CDT Tue Jul 14 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index
(AQI) is expected to reach the Maroon or Hazardous category.

* WHERE...Northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Everyone is more likely to be affected.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Very heavy smoke is expected across the
Arrowhead today, as large wildfires continue to spread. Hot
temperatures, when combined with the air pollution, will
exacerbate health impacts. A frontal boundary will then spread
heavy smoke further south this evening into Wednesday morning, as
it moves across northern and central Minnesota. The onset of
smoke will be rapid. This boundary eventually passes through the
Twin Cities and into southeastern Minnesota on Wednesday or
Wednesday evening, bringing heavy smoke even further south.
Additional rounds of heavy smoke are possible from Thursday
through Friday morning across the alert area.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
remain indoors and keep activity levels low. The general public
should avoid all physical activities outdoors. Reduce or
eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as
outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.
Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep
windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.

&&

For information on current air quality conditions in your area
and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert
notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow
mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-
climate/current-air- quality-conditions. You can find additional
information about health and air quality at
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/air-quality-
and-health.

$$

MPCA