safety
Map: Current air quality from wildfire smoke in Minnesota
By Allie Johnson at FOX 9 KMSP (FOX)
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
Heavy smoke from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada has spread across Minnesota, prompting air quality alerts warning that outdoor activities could be hazardous. See where air quality conditions at at their worst.
Key takeaway See where air quality conditions at at their worst.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
Minneapolis residents are likely to feel the effects of the poor air quality, given the city's location within the affected region. The air quality alerts issued due to heavy smoke from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada serve as a concern for the health and well-being of the community, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. As the city's residents go about their daily activities, they will need to take precautions to minimize their exposure to the hazardous air. This may impact outdoor events and activities, such as sports games and festivals, which are common in Minneapolis during this time of year. The city's parks and recreation department may need to consider cancelling or postponing outdoor events to protect the health of participants. Residents can stay informed about the current air quality conditions through local news and air quality indexes to make informed decisions about their outdoor activities.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Heavy smoke from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada has spread across Minnesota, prompting air quality alerts warning that outdoor activities could be hazardous. See where air quality conditions at at their worst.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by FOX 9 KMSP (FOX) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Allie Johnson at FOX 9 KMSP (FOX). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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