Minnesota Statewide Red Air Quality Alert Due to Canadian Wildfire Smoke

Minnesota and parts of New York are under air quality alerts due to ongoing Canadian wildfires, with smoke causing hazardous conditions and prompting health warnings. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a statewide alert from Sunday through Tuesday, with northern and central Minnesota reaching 'red' AQI levels, meaning the air is unhealthy for everyone, while southern areas, including the Twin Cities, are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Residents are advised to limit or avoid outdoor physical activity, especially children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory conditions, as fine smoke particles can enter the bloodstream and trigger serious health issues such as asthma attacks, heart attacks, or strokes. In New York City, elevated ozone pollution and lingering wildfire smoke have led to a similar alert, urging sensitive groups to take extra precautions. Authorities in Minnesota have also suspended burn permits and discouraged campfires until the alert is lifted, recommending residents check official resources for updates. These alerts follow a summer of repeated warnings, highlighting the widespread impact of Canadian wildfires on air quality across the northern U.S.