Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

MNZ011-012-019>021-037-201600-
North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-Central St. Louis-
Southern Lake-Southern Cook-Carlton and South St. Louis-
Including the cities of Ely, Isabella, Hibbing, Two Harbors,
Silver Bay, Grand Marais, and Duluth
1037 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS 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...Northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Everyone is more likely to be affected.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy smoke is expected to persist across
  much of northeastern Minnesota through the weekend and into
  Monday. A separate area of heavy smoke will move across
  northwestern Minnesota this morning and afternoon. Northwestern
  Minnesota should see improved air quality by this evening.
  Additional heavy smoke may move south from Canada this weekend,
  and the air quality alert may need to be extended into east
  central and southeastern Minnesota.

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.

$$

Huyck

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
635 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-035-037-181700-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-North Itasca-
Central St. Louis-Southern Lake-Southern Cook-North Cass-
South Itasca-Northern Aitkin-Carlton and South St. Louis-
Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Isabella,
Bigfork, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Walker,
Grand Rapids, Hill City, and Duluth
635 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY FOR PORTIONS OF
NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

Dry conditions and breezy winds will lead to near critical fire
weather conditions today. North to northwest winds gusting up to
10 to 20 mph with are forecast this afternoon. Minimum relative
humidity values of 30 to 40 percent are also expected. Together,
these conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires,
espeically in areas where recent lightning activity may have
started fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before
burning.

For more information on burning restrictions for
Minnesota, see
www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

$$

JDS

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov