Air quality alert issued for parts of MN as Canadian wildfires continue to burn [Video]

ST PAUL, Minn. — Officials issued another air quality alert for northern Minnesota as a heavy band of smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifts south.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued the alert in anticipation of the air quality reaching the red AQI category in International Falls, Roseau and the Tribal Nation of Red Lake. The alert began at 1 p.m., Thursday and will run until 7 p.m., Friday. 

According to the MPCA, a red category is considered unhealthy to everyone, and people are urged to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion while limiting their time spent outdoors. 

Several other areas are expected to reach the orange category, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Those areas include Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Leech Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac.

According to the MPCA, most of the drifting smoke will retreat into …