An air quality alert covering the entire state of Minnesota continues on Thursday, marring otherwise fairly ideal weather conditions.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an AIR QUALITY ALERT for all of Minnesota until late Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Iowa DNR has issued an AIR QUALITY ALERT for all of Iowa through Friday night.

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;