Air Quality Alert
MNZ010-018-025-026-033>036-112300-
Koochiching-North Itasca-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-
Including the cities of International Falls, Bigfork, Walker,
Grand Rapids, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, and Aitkin
403 PM CDT Thu Jul 10 2025
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM CDT TO 6 PM 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 Red or Unhealthy category.
* WHERE...North-Central Minnesota.
* WHEN...From 6 AM CDT to 6 PM CDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience
health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung
disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and
older adults, may experience health effects.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in
central Canada will move into northwest Minnesota early Friday
morning behind a cold front. The first band of smoke will
quickly move across northern Minnesota during the day Friday and
reach northeast Minnesota by the evening. A second round of
smoke will reach northwest Minnesota Friday evening. This round
of smoke will be more widespread and may impact the northern
half of the state on Saturday. The alert may need to be extended
to cover the second round of smoke. Cleaner air will move into
the state from the west on Sunday and air quality should improve
beginning Sunday afternoon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit
prolonged or heavy exertion. 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/Lueck
MNZ001>009-013>017-022>024-027>032-040-112300-
Clay-East Becker-East Marshall-East Otter Tail-East Polk-Grant-
Hubbard-Kittson-Lake of the Woods-Mahnomen-Norman-North Beltrami-
North Clearwater-Pennington-Red Lake-Roseau-South Beltrami-South
Clearwater-Wadena-West Becker-West Marshall-West Otter Tail-West
Polk-Wilkin-
Including the Tribal Nations of Leech Lake, Red Lake,
and White Earth Including the cities of Bemidji, Crookston, East
Grand Forks, Moorhead, and Roseau
307 PM CDT Thu Jul 10 2025
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM CDT TO 6 PM 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 Purple or Very Unhealthy category.
* WHERE...Northwest Minnesota.
* WHEN...From 6 AM CDT to 6 PM CDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in
central Canada will move into northwest Minnesota early Friday
morning behind a cold front. The first band of smoke will quickly
move across northern Minnesota during the day Friday and reach
northeast Minnesota by the evening. A second round of smoke will
reach northwest Minnesota Friday evening. This round of smoke will be
more widespread and may impact the northern half of the state on
Saturday. The alert may need to be extended to cover the second round
of smoke. Cleaner air will move into the state from the west on
Sunday and air quality should improve beginning Sunday afternoon.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid
all physical activities outdoors. The general public should avoid
prolonged or heavy exertion.
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.
$$