Minnesota air quality alert: Wildfire smoke triggers unhealthy conditions July 18-20

Minnesota officials are warning residents across much of the state to take precautions as wildfire smoke is set to push air quality into the unhealthy range for everyone this weekend.The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for east central, southeast, south central, and northeast Minnesota, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and ending at 2 p.m. Monday, July 20. Cities and Tribal Nations affected include Albert Lea, Rochester, Winona, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Prairie Island, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.