'Red Alert' For All Of MN: Photos Show Heavy Smoke Arriving At Canada Border

MINNEAPOLIS–ST. PAUL, MN — A "red" Air Quality Alert is now in effect for the entire state of Minnesota as thick wildfire smoke from Canada floods the region.

Photos taken early Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Transportation show thick, heavy smoke drifting in from Canada.

In International Falls, a hazy wall of smoke hovered over the highway as visibility dropped to near zero.

And near the Canadian border at Shooks, highway cameras captured eerie scenes of fading treelines, distant signs, and dull orange sunlight cutting through the gray.

"Smoke may remain over the state until Saturday when winds finally switch from the south," forecasters said in Thursday’s statewide air quality update.

"Periods of heavy surface smoke" will impact Minnesota through Saturday.

Air Quality Outlook

• Thursday, July 31: AQI 158 – Unhealthy
• Friday, August 1: Unhealthy again
• Saturday, August 2: Forecast improves slightly to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
• Ozone: Remains in the Good category due to cooler temps and sunlight blocking

Wildfire smoke is drifting south from central Saskatchewan and Manitoba, funneled in by persistent northerly winds.

High pressure has parked itself over the upper Midwest, resulting in light winds and poor atmospheric mixing.

Health officials are urging all Minnesotans, especially children, older adults, and people with lung or heart conditions, to take precautions as fine particle pollution (PM2.5) reaches dangerous levels.

What You Can Do

• Stay indoors as much as possible
• Keep windows closed overnight and throughout the day
• Run an air purifier or filtered A/C system
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity

Find real-time air quality conditions available at AirNow.gov.