A statewide air-quality alert caused by wildfire smoke has been stretched to noon Wednesday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. According to the MPCA, air quality index levels are anticipated to stay hazardous in northwest Minnesota, very unhealthy in north-central areas, unhealthy in a large swath of the central and northeast regions, including the Twin Cities, and unhealthy for sensitive groups in the southern portion of the state. The alert was extended from the original end time of 6 p.m. Monday. The smoke, which originated from extensive wildfires in Canada, is being transported into Minnesota by a cold front. The heaviest concentrations were expected in northwest and north-central Minnesota on Monday, moving into central and northeast areas by Monday evening, and reaching the southeast early Tuesday morning. Precipitation forecast for parts of northern and central Minnesota may offer limited relief from the smoky conditions. 📝 Carson Hartzog 📷 Mark Vancleave/The Ass...