Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-201600-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-North Itasca-
Central St. Louis-Southern Lake-Southern Cook-North Cass-
South Itasca-South Cass-Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-
Carlton and South St. Louis-Pine-
Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Isabella,
Bigfork, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Walker,
Grand Rapids, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, Aitkin, Duluth,
Pine City, and Hinckley
504 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT MONDAY ...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality
  Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI)
  is expected to reach the Maroon or Hazardous category.

* WHERE...East central and northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Everyone is likely to be affected. Minor ashfall will be
  possible.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy smoke will continue across the alert area.
  Some improvement will be possible Friday as an area of low
  pressure approaches before air quality deteriorates again on
  Saturday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
remain indoors and keep activity levels low. The general public
should avoid all physical activities outdoors. Reduce or
eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as
outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.
Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep
windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.

&&

For information on current air quality conditions in your area
and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert
notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow
mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-
climate/current-air- quality-conditions. You can find additional
information about health and air quality at
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/air-quality-
and-health. Poor air quality can impact pets and animals. More
information regarding pet and animal safety can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/protect- your-
pets-factsheet.pdf and https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-
owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals.

MPCA - Taraldsen

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
310 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-172015-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
310 PM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Smoke from wildfires is causing unhealthy to hazardous air
quality with an Air Quality Alert in effect.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

Lingering hot conditions may need Heat Advisories Friday.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning
and again Friday afternoon and evening. Damaging winds to 60 mph
and hail around an inch are expected. A tornado or two cannot be
ruled out for the afternoon and evening round.

Smoke from wildfires will continue to lead to unhealthy to
hazardous air quality in northeast Minnesota through Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotter activation will not be needed this afternoon or
tonight.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov