Minnesota officials issued an air quality control warning through mid-day Monday as smoke from Canadian wild fires moves to northern parts and sweeps across the state.

“Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across all of Minnesota,” stated the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in a press release.

The warning is set to expire at 12 p.m. Monday.

Areas in west, central and northern Wisconsin, as well as southern Minnesota, have visibilities that range from 4 to 7 miles, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Minnesota air quality map

Map shows wildfires in US, Canada

Who should avoid being outside?

According to the agency, everyone should limit “prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors,” but sensitive groups should should avoid the outdoors all together and limit the amount of time they spend outside.

Sensitive groups include:

• People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing conditions
• People with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes
• Pregnant people
• Children and older adults

People who are sensitive may experience worsening of existing heart or lung disease and worsening of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions which can lead to the following:

• Asthma attacks
• Heart attacks
• Strokes

How can smoke impact the average person’s health?

The agency warns that people may experience several symptoms if they have prolonged exposure to the poor air quality.

It states that wildfire smoke can irritate one’s eyes, nose, and throat and cause…

• Coughing
• Chest tightness,
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

“Anyone experiencing health effects related to poor air quality should contact their health care provider,” states the agency. “Those with severe symptoms, chest pain, trouble breathing, or who fear they may be experiencing a heart attack or stroke should call 911 immediately.”

Why is air quality in Minnesota so bad?

According to the agency, smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia swept in after a cold front.

Canadian fires prompt evacuations

On Saturday, 3,200 people living in northeastern British Columbia were under an evacuation order, Reuters reported, as fires charred over 24,710 acres.

According to Natural Resources Canada, there are over 100 active wildfires burning in the country, six of which are out of control.

The smoke from those fires is what lead the agency to release the air quality alert, the first of 2024, reports ABC News.

Not the first time smoke travels from Canada to the US

Last year, Canadian wild fires caused New York’s sky to turn orange and look like a scene out of an apocalyptic movie.

However, there’s some disagreement among experts about whether the U.S. should brace for a repeat of 2023’s air-quality issues.

“It is extremely unlikely that the 2024 fire season will be as extreme as 2023, as 2023 was a record-smashing year,” Mike Flannigan, a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, previously told USA TODAY.

He adds that the drought the country faced is a sign of a warmer-than-normal summer and “suggest the potential for an active fire season.”

But, Rebecca Saari, an associate professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, pointed out the drought and warm forecast, too, and said that she sees “similar patterns to last year.”

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Sharon Lubinski, the first out LGBTQ+ police officer in Minneapolis and first out U.S. marshal, has died at 71.

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Lubinski died April 19, according to an obituary posted by the Washburn-McCreavy funeral home. No cause of death was given.

Lubinski, a native of Green Bay, Wis., began her law enforcement career with as a deputy for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin, the Star Tribune reports. She joined the Minneapolis Police Department in 1987. She rose through the ranks, becoming precinct commander, deputy chief of patrol, and assistant police chief.

She came out as a lesbian to the department and the public in 1993. “She told the Star Tribune at the time her decision was partly informed by the recent murders of gay men in Minneapolis and seeing how police and the gay community struggled to work together,” the paper notes.

“If I’m going to be a real person and if I’m ever going to make real change as a cop, I have to do it as a lesbian cop,” she told the Star Tribune in 1993. “I can no longer justify keeping this to myself.”

Lubinski had a stellar reputation within the department. “Everywhere she went she was well regarded by the troops,” colleague Greg Hestness told the paper. “When you’re in a position where you are setting the tone and challenging stereotypes, to still be respected by the troops is a sign of a lot of leadership.”

She also “worked on issues of community concern with Indigenous, Somali, Hmong and African American communities,” her obituary states.

In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her to be a U.S. marshal on the recommendation of Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The U.S. Marshals Service’s duties include providing security for federal courts, transporting federal prisoners, apprehending criminals, and seizing stolen assets.

“During my years as Hennepin County Attorney, I worked with Sharon Lubinski on an almost daily basis,” said a statement from Klobuchar. “I observed firsthand the strength of her character and the respect she commanded from people at every level of law enforcement and across our state. Because of this, I recommended Sharon be nominated to serve as the U.S. Marshal for the District of Minnesota. … As U.S. Marshal, Sharon led a successful effort in the state to reduce violent crime and was instrumental in the manhunt to capture the murderer of Mendota Heights Police Officer Scott Patrick. Minnesota is a safer place because of Sharon.”

“Sharon was also a trailblazer,” Klobuchar continued. “She was Minnesota’s first female and our country’s first openly gay U.S. Marshal. She is an inspiration whose story and actions have encouraged more people from all backgrounds to serve.”

U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, who was chief judge when Lubinski was marshal, told the Star Tribune she was “the most effective law enforcement partner with whom I have ever worked.”

“She was the definition of outstanding leadership: encouraging, courageous, selfless, and a remarkable decision-maker, greatly respected by judges and deputy marshals alike,” he said. “Not only was she the best female law enforcement leader in America, she was simply one of the best law enforcement leaders in America, period.”

Lubinski retired in 2016. She was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and opera, and her hobbies included astronomy, birdwatching, and running. Her family recommends memorial donations to the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wis.

Survivors include her spouse of 38 years, Fran, and a brother and sister. A service will be held May 19 in Edina, Minn.

TWIN CITIES, MN — Yes, Canadian wildfire smoke is back. “Keep windows closed tonight,” the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Sunday.

An air quality alert for “red/unhealthy for all” will be in effect for much of Minnesota — including the Twin Cities metro area — starting Monday at 8 a.m.

Health officials warned that fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone.

“A band of very heavy smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia has moved into northern Minnesota and will sweep south across the state on Sunday behind a cold front,” the PCA said.

“Smoke will persist through midday Monday across southern Minnesota and air quality will gradually improve through the day as the smoke begins to disperse….Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors,” the PCA added.

Find more information about the alert from the PCA below:

Red air quality: Unhealthy for everyone

Sights and smells: In areas where air quality is in the red AQI category due to wildfires, the sky may look smoky. The air will look hazy, and you won’t be able to see long distances. You may smell smoke.

Health effects: This air is unhealthy for everyone. Anyone may begin to experience symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Sensitive or more exposed individuals may experience more serious health effects, including worsening of existing heart or lung disease and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, possibly leading to an asthma attack, heart attack, or stroke.

What to do: Reduce outdoor physical activities, take more breaks, and avoid intense activities to reduce exposure. Sensitive and more exposed individuals should avoid prolonged or vigorous activities and consider shortening, rescheduling, or moving outdoor events inside.