Photo: Alex Geerts on Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - June 3, 2025

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota, including Cook County and Grand Portage, until noon on Wednesday, June 4. This alert is due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

 Image: MPCA

According to the MPCA, fine particle levels in central and northeast Minnesota are expected to reach the "Red" Air Quality Index (AQI) category, indicating "Unhealthy" conditions for all individuals. (Some levels of "Purple" have been recorded throughout Cook County and Grand Portage as of the morning of June 3, which indicates "Very Unhealthy" conditions.) Under "Red" and "Purple" categories, the MPCA states that the air is unhealthy for everyone, and that anyone may experience symptoms (irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath) or serious health affects such as "worsening of existing heart or lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart attack, or stroke." 

According to the MPCA, everyone should limit or avoid prolonged and vigorous outdoor activities. Children and older adults are specifically recommended to limit their time outdoors and reduce physical activity to minimize exposure.

This alert comes after multiple air quality alerts issued by the MPCA in 2025 due to wildfire smoke throughout the state. 

The MPCA released its 2025 summer air quality forecast earlier this year, which forecasts an active season for air quality events. MPCA meteorologists estimate between 12 and 16 days of wildfire smoke and four to seven days of ozone impacts throughout the state this year. Ground-level ozone, often referred to as smog, forms through chemical reactions involving airborne pollutants, especially under hot and sunny weather conditions (versus ozone found in the stratosphere, which protects against the sun's rays). Ground-level ozone can have a negative impact on human health (eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as impact those who have existing respiratory conditions).

New this year, the MPCA has also initiated issuing alerts for PM10, a pollutant frequently associated with blowing dust, due to frequent drought and gusty wind conditions. 

Burn permit restrictions for June 3

In addition to the Air Quality Alert, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has implemented burn permit restrictions for June 3, with only "Agency Approved Permits" being approved. This restriction is to reduce the risk of new wildfires and reduce additional smoke contributions into the air.

To see live air quality conditions, visit the MPCA website here.