Hazardous air quality alert expands into Twin Cities, southern Minnesota

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Much of eastern and central Minnesota from the tip of the Arrowhead to Red Wing is expected to see air quality through Friday considered hazardous, meaning all people should avoid outdoor activity and stay indoors, the latest Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says.
The MPCA alert posted late Wednesday night shows most of Minnesota expected to be under some kind of unhealthy air, with hazardous conditions now reaching deeper into the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota.
Here are the latest updates to the air quality alert, with expansions and upgrades further into southern Minnesota, still valid through 11am Friday. See https://t.co/mPQ31ZmvRg for more details. #mnwx #aqi pic.twitter.com/8x7VIvakkC
— MN Air Quality Index (@mpca_aqi) July 16, 2026
The poor air quality is being driven by smoke from wildfires in northeastern Minnesota.
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