Minnesota air quality map: Unhealthy alert issued for these regions due to Canadian wildfire smoke | Full list

Wildfires in Canada from the last week have now started affecting air quality in regions in the United States as well due to the southward direction of winds flowing from the region. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, there were 174 active wildfires in the country as of Friday (May 30), 94 of which were being assessed and observed but beyond any scope of being put out.

A person runs near the Stone Arch Bridge as a haze from Canadian wildfire smoke causes poor air quality in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., June 3, 2025. (REUTERS)

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s AQI tracking page called AirNow, air quality in Northern Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and most of Wisconsin has been deemed unhealthy for sensitive people and animals. People may experience symptoms of coughing and shortness of breath and have been advised to stay indoors. Eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois showed moderate air quality on the map as of last week.