(KNSI) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says more air quality alerts are likely on the way after a record-setting summer.
The MPCA’s supervisory meteorologist says the Canadian fires are too widespread and too remote to be put out until the snows come this winter. Before that happens, anytime we see a jet stream pattern that brings winds out of the north, smoke will come with them.
The agency says wildfires have led to poor air quality in most years since 2017, which halted a trend of improving conditions that dated back decades. The state has gone from seeing one day where the air quality index was red to 14 separate alerts in 2023.
In total, there were 20 warnings, covering 52 days. That beat out 2021’s mark of 13 alerts and 42 days.
State officials are partly blaming climate change for the wildfires and air quality problems this summer. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the flames are being fueled by extreme weather and droughts, which are increasing in intensity and lengthening the fire season.
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