Hazardous smoke drifting into the Twin Cities from wildfires in northern Minnesota and Canada forced public-recreation closures and cancellations in St. Paul and Minneapolis on Thursday, disrupting summer programming during an extreme-heat event.
What closed in St. Paul
St. Paul officials said multiple aquatic facilities and outdoor activities were suspended because of the poor air quality. Among the changes announced:
- Como Pool — closed
- Highland Park Aquatic Center — closed
- Lake Phalen Beach — closed; beaches remain open but without lifeguards in the metro
- Outdoor sports — all canceled
- Youth outdoor activities and field trips — moved indoors where possible
- Como Zoo — open but scheduled to close at 3 p.m. for an event
- Como Town — closed
- Community events — Fitness in the Parks, Lunch on the Lawn and fire truck splash down events canceled
Regional impact and guidance
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board closed public pools, golf courses and canceled all outdoor programming citywide; parks, trails and beaches remained open but without lifeguards. Officials urged residents to limit time outdoors and follow public-health guidance, especially people who are more sensitive to poor air quality.
"Visitors are encouraged to use precaution and limit time outdoors and follow public health guidance, especially people who may be more sensitive to poor air quality."
For a period Thursday afternoon, Minneapolis’ air quality briefly ranked the worst among major world cities, according to IQAir. The smoke arrived in the Twin Cities on Wednesday evening and pushed regional air-quality measurements to historically poor levels.
Timing and outlook
Officials said improvements were expected on Friday. The smoke-driven air quality problems compounded an existing extreme heat warning across the metro, raising concerns about combined heat and smoke risks for vulnerable residents, including older adults and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions.
| Facility/Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Como Pool | Closed |
| Highland Park Aquatic Center | Closed |
| Lake Phalen Beach | Closed (no lifeguards at beaches) |
| Como Zoo | Open; closing at 3 p.m. |
| Como Town | Closed |
Residents with health concerns should follow guidance from health professionals and local officials. The closures affect scheduled programming and weekend planning across the metro; parks remain accessible but the absence of lifeguards at beaches means swimmers should exercise greater caution.
The combination of wildfire smoke and extreme heat presents a public-health challenge for Ramsey County and the state, as officials balance access to outdoor spaces with protections for vulnerable populations. Authorities are monitoring conditions and will update the public as air quality forecasts change.
