Wildfire Smoke from Canada Causes Hazardous Air Quality Across Minnesota and Wisconsin

Thick smoke from wildfires burning in Canada has drifted south, blanketing parts of the Midwest and creating dangerous air conditions across Minnesota and Wisconsin on Tuesday.

By sunrise, air quality had sharply deteriorated, with smoky skies and low visibility reported across Minneapolis and surrounding areas. Visibility dropped to under three miles in some locations, while air quality index (AQI) readings soared to 288 — a level deemed hazardous for all individuals, not just those with respiratory conditions.

The smoky conditions, noticeable by their acrid smell and dense haze, created an eerie scene reminiscent of the Northeast's wildfire haze in 2023. Live footage from webcams in cities like St. Paul showed a dramatic shift from clear skies just a week prior.

The smoky air didn’t just affect Minnesota. Portions of Wisconsin and even Iowa also reported poor air quality due to the incoming plumes of smoke.