Minnesota air quality: Wildfire smoke leads to alert in northern Minnesota

Minnesota sees record air quality alerts

Persistently poor air quality throughout Minnesota due to Canadian wildfire smoke has caused a record number of National Weather Service air quality alerts so far this season at 23.

BEMIDJI, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another air quality alert for northern Minnesota because of smoke from wildfires in Canada.

The alert, which will affect areas from Bemidji to Grand Portage, will run from July 31 to Aug. 1.

Air Quality will reach the orange level which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. People in those groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors.

The smoke is expected to move north and out of the state Tuesday afternoon.