
Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category in east central, southeast, and northeast Minnesota, which is unhealthy for everyone.
The air quality alert issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) remains in effect until noon on Wednesday, June 4. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro area, Brainerd, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Mankato, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac. Northwest Minnesota is no longer in the alert.
A band of very heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to move southeast across Minnesota and has reached south central and northeast Minnesota Tuesday morning. Measured fine particle levels will be highest Tuesday morning from the Twin Cities to Rochester. Air quality may reach the Purple (Very Unhealthy) air quality index (AQI) category for a few hours Tuesday morning. Air quality will worsen across southeast Minnesota Tuesday as the smoke reaches the corner of the state. As the smoke continues to move across the state Tuesday, air quality will slowly improve from northwest to southeast for the remainder of the alert area. The smoke is expected to leave the state by Wednesday at noon.
East central, southeast, and northeast Minnesota: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone. This area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Mankato, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Prairie Island, Mille Lacs, Upper Sioux, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Western, central, and north central Minnesota: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. This area includes Brainerd, Alexandria, Marshall, Worthington, International Falls, and the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, and Red Lake. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.