DULUTH, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Wildfires are an issue in northern Minnesota, so much so that the U.S. Forest Service has closed access to the over 1 million acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Now that smoke from fires is causing issues with our air, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert.
That alert is in effect for far northeast Minnesota, and the MPCA’s Matt Taraldsen says high temperatures are worsening conditions. Temps across the state, even that far north, are well into the 90-degree range on Tuesday and for the rest of the week.
“Low-level winds have been such that a lot of that smoke has been going up into Canada,” Taraldsen explains. “But the winds will turn from the northwest as a cool front moves its way through, and that will push smoke south of the border into the arrowhead of Minnesota. And eventually into parts of central Minnesota as well.”
The air quality alert is in effect through Thursday in places like Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, and the Grand Portage Tribal Nation. Air quality is expected to reach the purple AQI category, which is very unhealthy for everyone. In the purple area, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and stay indoors.
The alert may be expanded by Wednesday as the smoke moves further to the south. Additional rounds of heavy smoke are possible across the region through at least Thursday morning.
“There’s still quite a bit of model disagreement on how far south that front gets,” Taraldsen adds. “It could clip the Twin Cities. It’s still a little bit too early to see, but it does look like Duluth will be impacted likely Wednesday, and then eventually that front will stall across central Minnesota, and that’s where the impacts will kind of remain.”
Taraldsen says it’s unusual to have high temperatures and heavy smoke at the same time, especially in that area of the state. That could increase the dangers of being outside for long periods of time in the area.
There were a number of evacuations Monday night as the closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness went into effect.
The U.S. Forest Service temporarily closed off the BWCA to permit holders and outfitters while wildfires continue to burn and the fire danger remains high. Officials say all entry points to the Boundary Waters closed at midnight, Tuesday. The closure is expected to last at least until Friday.
AIR QUALITY ALERT
* WHAT…The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Purple or Very Unhealthy category.
* WHERE…Northeast Minnesota.
* WHEN…From 7:00 A.M. Tuesday to 11:00 A.M. Thursday.
* IMPACTS…The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Heavy smoke from several large wildfires across northeast Minnesota and Canada will move south behind a frontal boundary across much of northeast Minnesota beginning on Tuesday. High temperatures will be in the 90s across the alert area Tuesday, and the combination of wildfire smoke and extreme heat amplifies health risks. Heavy smoke may move further south into Minnesota Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, so the air quality alert may need to be expanded. Additional rounds of heavy smoke are possible across the region through at least Thursday morning.
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