Air Quality Alert: Major Cities Hit Hazardous Levels—Real-Time Index, Health Risks & How to Stay Safe

Residents across the Upper Midwest are breathing the worst air of the year this week as smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires drifts south, triggering back-to-back air quality alerts and even a historic “Maroon” warning in northern Minnesota. H2: Why the Air Quality Index Is Spiking Strong winds are steering dense plumes of wildfire smoke from Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan into the U.S. jet stream, sending fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) soaring well above 200 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says concentrations have reached the “unhealthy for everyone” red category statewide and briefly crossed into the rarely used maroon tier in the northwest, a level considered hazardous to all populations. H2: Areas Under Alert Today • Minnesota: Statewide alert through Wednesday, with AQI readings of 150-250 in the Twin Cities and 250-300 in the north. • Michigan: An air quality advisory covers the Upper Peninsula and portions of the Lower Peninsula after smoke crossed Lake Superior overnight. • Dakotas & Wisconsin: Patchy haze is lowering visibility, with several counties issuing orange-level alerts for sensitive groups. H2: Health Risks and Safety Tips When PM 2.5 exceeds 150, even healthy adults can experience throat irritation, coughing and shortness of breath. Cardiologists warn that fine particles can enter the bloodstream, elevating the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Public health officials urge residents to: • Stay indoors with windows closed; run HEPA-filter air purifiers if available. • Limit outdoor exercise; move workouts to a gym or postpone entirely. • Wear a well-fitted N95 mask if you must be outside. • Monitor real-time AQI on AirNow.gov or local weather apps. H2: When Will Conditions Improve? Meteorologists expect a weak cold front to push the thickest smoke eastward late Wednesday, bringing AQI readings back below 100 for most of Minnesota and Wisconsin by Thursday morning. However, continued fire activity in Canada means additional smoke intrusions are possible through the weekend. H2: How to Track Future Air Quality Alerts Sign up for text or email notifications from your state pollution control agency, follow the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map, and enable smoke layer alerts on popular weather apps. Staying informed allows you to adjust outdoor plans quickly whenever the AQI deteriorates. Bottom line: Until widespread rainfall tamps down Canada’s record-setting fire season, the Upper Midwest must brace for recurring bouts of haze. Keep masks handy, seal your windows, and check AQI before heading outside to protect your lungs and heart.