Air Quality Alert Issued For Parts Of Minnesota

Portions of Minnesota have been put under an air quality alert for the day, all stemming from wildfire smoke from Canada.

Here's what to know.

What areas of Minnesota are impacted?

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is being pushed in by a wind from the north, with heavy ground-level smoke becoming trapped over Lake Superior through the day on Wednesday.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the most heavily impacted areas for reduced air quality are along the North Shore, including Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais. Carlton County along with Southern St. Louis County, Lake County, and Cook County are categorized under the "unhealthy for sensitive groups", alert.

When an alert like this is issued for the "unhealthy for sensitive groups", those with lung or heart disease, older people, children, and people exerting themselves for prolonged periods of time outdoors are most impacted.

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Much of the rest of the eastern portions of Minnesota are experiencing "moderate" air quality, along with places in the Red River Valley in Northwestern Minnesota.

How long will this last?

The good news is, not too long.

A low-pressure system will sweep in, bringing a change in wind direction (along with some rain expected across the state) that will clear out the smoke for Thursday.

The MPCA says air quality conditions should improve in the early morning hours of Thursday, with "good" air quality forecasted across the state for August 15.

Looking ahead to Friday, the northwestern corner of the state will see a return of "moderate" air quality as the weather pattern changes once again.