WADENA, Minn. (KWAD) — A thick band of wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is once again blanketing much of Minnesota in a hazy, unhealthy cloud.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MNPCA) issued an air quality alert Wednesday afternoon that remains in effect through 11 p.m. Friday for nearly the entire state. The alert comes as wildfire smoke from Saskatchewan and Manitoba continues to push into Minnesota, impacting communities from the Canadian border all the way to the southern edge of the state.

According to the MPCA, the northern half of Minnesota is expected to experience the worst conditions Thursday, with air quality rated “unhealthy for everyone.” The southern half of the state is forecast to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups” both Thursday and Friday.

Cities and areas impacted include:
Twin Cities metro, Brainerd, Alexandria, St. Cloud, Mankato, Albert Lea, Worthington, Marshall, Bemidji, Duluth, Hibbing, Ely, International Falls, Moorhead, and East Grand Forks, along with Tribal Nations including Upper Sioux, Prairie Island, Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, White Earth, Red Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.

Health officials are urging residents in the red-alert areas—where air is considered unhealthy for all—to limit prolonged or heavy outdoor activity and stay indoors when possible. In orange-alert zones, people in sensitive groups—including those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, as well as children, older adults, and pregnant individuals—should also avoid strenuous activity outdoors.

The smoke began moving into northwest Minnesota Wednesday and is expected to spread into northeast, central, and southwest Minnesota by Thursday morning, then reach east-central and south-central regions by the afternoon.

Air quality is expected to gradually improve from south to north beginning Friday afternoon, according to the MNPCA.

For real-time air quality updates, visit: www.mn.gov/pca/air or follow the MNPCA on social media.