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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota. The alert runs until noon on Wednesday.

The affected area includes all of Minnesota and the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac. 

A band of very heavy ground-level smoke from Canadian wildfires has moved into northwest Minnesota Monday morning behind a cold front. This smoke will continue to follow behind the cold front as it moves southeast, and the smoke will impact northwest and north central Minnesota on Monday, according to a press release.

The smoke will reach central and northeast Minnesota on Monday evening and southeast Minnesota early Tuesday morning. Precipitation is expected across northern and central Minnesota Monday afternoon and evening but may not help improve air quality much. Smoke will clear northwest Minnesota early Tuesday morning and air quality will begin to improve from northwest to southeast from Tuesday through Wednesday morning.

The most significant impacts on air quality are expected to occur across northwest and north central Minnesota.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the maroon air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered hazardous for everyone, across northwest Minnesota. This area includes East Grand Forks, Roseau and the Tribal Nation of Red Lake. In the maroon area, everyone should avoid any outdoor activity and stay indoors.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the purple AQI category, a level considered very unhealthy for everyone, across northwest and north central Minnesota. This area includes Brainerd, Bemidji, Moorhead, International Falls and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Leech Lake and Red Lake. In the purple area, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and stay indoors.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across central and northeast Minnesota. This area includes the Twin Cities metro area, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Ortonville, Mankato, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth and the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux, Prairie Island, Mille Lacs, 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.

Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across southwest and southeast Minnesota. This area includes Marshall, Worthington, Rochester and Winona. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.