Latest news with #NorthernMinnesota
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Air quality alert issued for northern Minnesota due to Canada wildfire smoke
The Brief The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued an air quality alert for northern Minnesota. The alert is in place until Friday at 7 p.m. Smoke from wildfires in Canada led to the alert being issued. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for areas in northern Minnesota. What we know An air quality was issued for the majority of northern Minnesota, and is in place until Friday at 7 p.m. MPCA issued a red air quality alert, which is considered unhealthy for everyone, for areas including International Falls, Roseau, and the Tribal Nation of Red Lake. There is an orange air quality alert, which is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, for areas including Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac. For a full description of each air quality category, click here. Dig deeper In red air quality areas, wildfire smoke may make the sky look smoky, and the air look hazy. You may also smell smoke. MPCA says this is unhealthy for everyone. Being outside could cause these symptoms: irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Officials say to reduce outdoor activities, and reduce exposure. Orange air quality areas will also make the sky look hazy, and residents may smell smoke. This air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, and may aggravate heart and lung disease, and cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. What you can do To keep up to date on the air quality, click here.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Brimson woman loses everything in Camp House wildfire
The Brief A Brimson woman lost everything in the Camp House Fire. It was her home of 33 years, which she built with her late husband. Now she's left to pick up the pieces with her two grandkids. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The wildfires in northern Minnesota have destroyed more than 140 structures. Some families have been allowed to return home to see what's left. FOX 9 spoke with a woman who lost her home in the Camp House fire. She built it with her late husband. What they're saying "All I see is everything chard, shells of vehicles, bicycles, trikes, no house left, no outbuilding left. Nothing, I got green grass in the backyard," said Angie Ridgley, of Brimson who lost everything in the Camp House Fire. A home of 33 years in Brimson was gone in a matter of hours on Monday. "We left at 12:30, and the fire jumped the road and my house was consumed at 2:43," said Ridgley. What we know Ridgley built her dream home with her late husband Kevin,who passed away five years ago. With a St. Louis County Sheriff escort, she was able to see her home for the first time on Tuesday. "All I could do was stand in the driveway. It was too hot," said Ridgley. "It looks like a warzone, it looks like bombs were dropped," Ridgley added. What they're saying Angie is left to pick up the pieces with her grandchildren, who are 2 and 6 years old. "I got two pairs of pants, two pairs of shorts, and the kids got three changes of clothes and pajamas and that's it," said Ridgley. She's telling others to heed red flag warnings. "Minnesota is flagged red. No burning right now. Please pay attention. Don't start a fire. You can't, don't do it. Don't throw a cigarette out. Be careful. People live out in the wilderness. We have lives out there, homes," said Ridgley. What's next Angie says she's been on the phone with her insurance company for the past few days, on how to move forward. If you'd like to help her and her grandchildren click here.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Minnesota wildfires explode over nearly 20,000 acres as National Guard responds
Three raging wildfires in northern Minnesota have forced evacuations and the deployment of members of the state's National Guard to battle the blazes. The fires continued to expand on Tuesday, fanned by hot, dry, and windy weather conditions. In Brimson, the largest of the three wildfires, known as the Camp House fire, rapidly ballooned to 11,778 acres. The fire, which started on Sunday, has destroyed more than 40 structures and led dozens of people to evacuate. There were 80 people working to respond to the incident, and several road closures implemented. The 'fire has been very active the last two days, with the burning period going into the night,' the Minnesota Incident Command System wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. In the nearby Superior National Forest, the Jenkins Creek Fire had spread over 6,800 acres, quadrupling in size after erupting Monday morning. 'The fire moved quickly, driven by strong southerly winds,' according to officials. Southwest of the two wildfires, the Munger Shaw fire tore over more than 1,400 acres, according to the wildfire-tracking app Watch Duty. More evacuations were reported in that area, according to the national forest. The causes of all of the fires remain under investigation. Not one of the fires is contained. On Monday, Democratic Governor Tim Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 running mate, said he had authorized the National Guard to assist in the response. "Wildfires in northern Minnesota have forced families to evacuate and caused severe damage to and loss of property. My thoughts are with those Minnesotans who are being impacted by this dangerous and unpredictable fire," said Walz. As the fight continues, an air quality alert issued due to the spread of wildfire smoke has been extended through Wednesday. 'Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI level, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups,' the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency warned. Similar alerts were issued at around the same time last year due to wildfire smoke coming from Canada. Walz and the state's forestry officials told residents to be extra careful about anything that could cause heat or sparks. Burn restrictions were in place. Red flag warnings have been issued for 65 counties, and any wildfire that starts in this weather is expected to explode. Climate change is making wildfire-prone conditions more frequent. The governor said that while Minnesota typically sees more than 1,100 wildfires a year, 970 have already occurred this year. Of those, 40 were on Sunday and Monday, according to WCCO News. "I've worked for DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Forestry for nearly 30 years, and the weather the last few days is just really unprecedented," Patty Thielen, director of forestry for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, told the station. "Really low humidity, high winds have allowed fires to spread really quickly."
