Minnesota sets new air pollution record, Superior National Forest reports the worst wildfire conditions in 20 years

Smoke rising from wildfires in Superior National Forest Minnesota on July 14, 2026. Credit: USFS Superior National Forest Minnesota is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire smoke events on record, with smoke concentrations becoming so extreme that they exceeded the normal operating range of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) automated quality-control system. The agency confirmed that its air quality monitors were functioning properly after technicians inspected affected stations and said the unprecedented readings have established a new set of record observations. The MPCA has issued an Air Quality Alert from CDT Wednesday, July 15, through CDT on Friday, July 17, covering east central, central, west central, southeast, north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Air quality is forecast to reach the Maroon Air Quality Index (AQI) category—Hazardous—for central, east central, north central, and northeast Minnesota, while Purple (Very Unhealthy) and Red (Unhealthy) conditions are expected across other parts of the alert area. Heat is expected to exacerbate the health impacts of the smoke, and the agency warned the alert may need to be extended beyond Friday for parts of the state. The extraordinary smoke concentrations prompted the MPCA’s automated quality-control (QC) system to flag the observations because they were far outside the normal range. The agency said staff were dispatched to inspect the affected monitoring stations in the Arrowhead region and confirmed the instruments were operating normally. Satellite image showing dense wildfire smoke over Canada and USA at UTC on July 15, 2026. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers “Our previous records were readings of 476 in that region. We now have a new list of the top 10 observations that come in at more than 1 000,” the MPCA said. The most heavily affected areas include Brainerd, Alexandria, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, White Earth, Red Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac. The smoke is being generated ’s Arrowhead region and southern Canada. According to the MPCA, very heavy smoke from these fires will continue spreading south through central, northwest, and portions of southeastern Minnesota before a forecast cold front gradually brings cleaner air into the region. Existing smoke, along with additional rounds of dense smoke, is expected to linger through Friday morning. Fifteen active wildfires are burning across Minnesota’s Superior National Forest following a widespread lightning outbreak, with officials warning that extreme fire behavior, rapid fire growth, hazardous smoke, and deteriorating weather conditions are creating the most widespread fire conditions seen on the forest in more than two decades.