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Last updated:  Jul 16, 2026 - 9:03 AM CDT

Minnesota wildfires: Hazardous air quality in Twin Cities as fires continue to burn

Minnesota wildfires: Hazardous air quality in Twin Cities as fires continue to burn

Wildfires continue burning across northeastern Minnesota, where more than a dozen active fires, collectively known as the July Lightning Event, have burned an estimated 55,000 acres.

Smoke from the wildfires has spread south, triggering air quality alerts across much of Minnesota, including hazardous conditions in the Twin Cities Thursday morning. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness remains closed, evacuations continue in parts of northeastern Minnesota and firefighters remain focused on containing the blazes.

QUICK LINKS: Download the FOX LOCAL app to get alerts  | Minnesota weather daily forecast | List of cancellations & delays due to wildfire smoke

4 updates

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Boundary Waters closure extended through Saturday

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Hazardous air quality in Twin Cities metro

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