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All Of Minnesota Under Air Quality Alert
St. Paul, MN – June 3, 2025 – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an Air Quality Alert for nearly the entire state of Minnesota, effective through noon on Wednesday, June 4th. The alert is primarily attributed to a significant influx of wildfire smoke from Canada, which has pushed air quality into "Unhealthy" and "Very Unhealthy" categories across large swaths of the state.
Smoke from extensive wildfires in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, combined with regional fires, has drifted southward, blanketing Minnesota with fine particulate matter. This has resulted in widespread hazy skies, reduced visibility, and the distinct smell of smoke across the state.
Current Conditions and Health Impacts:
As of Tuesday, June 3rd, air quality levels reached "Very Unhealthy" (purple category, AQI 201-300) in much of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and surrounding regions. Some scattered locations in the Twin Cities even temporarily hit the "Hazardous" (maroon category, AQI 301-500) level in the morning. Eastern and southeastern Minnesota are also experiencing "Unhealthy" (red category, AQI 151-200) conditions, while western, central, and north-central parts of the state are generally in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (orange category, AQI 101-150) range.
The MPCA emphasizes that air in the "Red" category is unhealthy for everyone, and individuals may experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. For those in "Purple" or "Maroon" areas, the risks are even higher, with the potential for more serious heart and lung effects, including asthma attacks, heart attacks, or strokes.
Hospitals, including Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, have reported a slight increase in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms aggravated by the poor air quality. Health officials advise that fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke triggers inflammation in airways, worsening underlying conditions like COPD and asthma.
Recommendations for Protection:
The MPCA urges all Minnesotans to take precautions during this air quality alert.
- Reduce or eliminate outdoor physical activities: Take more breaks and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure.
- Stay indoors: Keep windows and doors closed to keep indoor air as clean as possible.
- Consider wearing an N95 mask: For those who must be outdoors, a well-fitting N95 or P100 mask provides critical protection against fine particulates; cloth masks are not sufficient.
- Avoid activities that worsen indoor air quality: This includes burning candles or incense, vacuuming, smoking, and using stoves, ovens, and fireplaces.
- Check on high-risk individuals: Children, seniors, pregnant people, and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, COPD, or heart disease are especially vulnerable and should prioritize staying indoors and limiting activity.
Outlook:
While conditions are expected to gradually improve from northwest to southeast across the state through Tuesday evening and into Wednesday, the alert remains in effect until noon Wednesday. Meteorologists suggest that a cold front sweeping the smoke eastward will bring relief, but warn that additional waves of Canadian wildfire smoke could return later in the week, making this a potentially recurring issue throughout the summer.
Minnesotans can monitor current air quality conditions and forecasts by visiting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website or using the AirNow mobile app.
