Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

MNZ011-012-019>021-037-200000-
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
340 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT SUNDAY...

* 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 Red or Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...East central, southeast, south central, and northeast
  Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience
  health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung
  disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and
  older adults, may experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy smoke from wildfires will persist
  across northeast Minnesota tonight into Sunday morning.
  Increasing southwesterly winds Sunday afternoon will lead to
  improved air quality for much of northeast Minnesota, though
  near the wildfires and near the shores of Lake Superior may
  continue to experience poor air quality through the Sunday
  afternoon. The alert for this part of the state is currently set
  to expire at 7 pm Sunday. Only localized poor air quality near
  the wildfires will continue thereafter. Heavy smoke is expected
  to then enter southeastern and far east central Minnesota from
  the east early Sunday morning and persist through Monday
  morning. Red, meaning unhealthy for everyone, is the expected
  AQI category for all of this alert.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit
prolonged or heavy exertion. 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
333 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-035-037-190000-
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
333 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

Dry conditions and gusty winds will lead to near critical fire
weather conditions today. North to northwest winds gusting up to
10 to 20 mph 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,
especially in areas where recent lightning activity occurred.

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.

$$

Huyck

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1150 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-191700-
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-
1150 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Strong winds and dry air will create near-critical fire weather
conditions for most of northeast Minnesota today.

Smoke from wildfires is expected to lead to "Hazardous" category
air quality for portions of the Minnesota Arrowhead. Northwest
Wisconsin will see "Very Unhealthy" category to "Unhealthy"
category air quality.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Near-critical fire weather conditions are possible for parts of
the region Sunday.

More hot weather is possible Sunday and Monday. Heat headlines
may be needed.

Isolated to scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible
Sunday night into Monday.

Strong winds and dry air will lead to critical fire weather
conditions Monday afternoon and possibly Tuesday.

Smoke from wildfires will continue to lead to "Hazardous"
category to "Very Unhealthy" category and "Unhealthy" category
air quality through Sunday and Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov