Air quality alerts in effect for all of Minnesota as wildfire smoke returns originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
The return of wildfire smoke from fires burning in Canada has sparked another air quality alert in Minnesota, which will be in effect through Tuesday.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has placed the northern two-thirds of the state in the red alert zone, which means "unhealthy" for all residents, through 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The lower third of Minnesota, which includes the Twin Cities, is in the orange zone, with air quality considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups," which includes the elderly, children, and those with respiratory and other medical conditions.
"In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors," the MPCA says.
It comes as wildfire smoke from fires burning across central Saskatchewan and Manitoba wrapped around the back end of a low pressure system, sending smoke into western Minnesota on Sunday morning before expanding east.
"Heavy smoke should then disperse from west to east across the state from Monday into Tuesday morning," the MPCA alert reads.
KSTP notes that the alert being in place on Monday comes as the fall high school sports season kicks off, with outdoor practices for football, soccer, running and tennis due to begin.
The Minnesota State High School League advises that air quality values (AQI) of 100 or below are considered "considered acceptable for usual athlete activities."
Between 100-150, athletes with asthma and anyone experiencing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness are advised to move indoors. Above 150, all practice should be moved indoors, and practices should be canceled in the event of an AQI above 200.
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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