At the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), most of Minnesota was classified as having “moderate” air quality late Sunday morning, with areas around Marshall, Moorhead and Hibbing being a potential risk for people with breathing sensitivity. An air quality alert for Minnesota through Monday issued by the MPCA remains in effect.

For residents across Minnesota, the past week has been marked by a new, unwelcome normal: a thick, smoky haze hanging over cities and landscapes. This persistent blanket of pollution isn't just an inconvenience;