Charles Crane/MDN This is the view from the rooftop of the Magic City Discovery Center looking south toward a haze-covered downtown Minot Wednesday morning brought on by wildfires in Canada.

The air began growing thicker and the sky dimmer beginning in the mid-morning in Minot on Wednesday, as the blowing wind brought down a haze of smoke and particulate upon the Magic City and the state at large.

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has confirmed that the smoky conditions originate from wildfires raging in northwestern Canada that have been blown south across the region. The department reported that the concentration of small particles of ash, soot and other matter were increasing in the air over North Dakota, brought in by a weather front.

The smoke reduced visibility to as low as half a mile in some parts western and central North Dakota and caused the cancellation of local track meets, golf team practice and other outdoor activities though it didn’t dissuade the public from visiting the Scandanavian Heritage Park for Norwegian Constitution Day.

Dr. Jeffrey Verhey, a pulmonary and critical care physician with Trinity Health, says that even though the region was on the cusp of hazardous quality, it was still advisable to exercise caution before venturing out into such conditions. Those most at risk were individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and allergies.

“Actually, we were right on the cusp of being in the hazardous range,” Verhey said, “This isn’t good for people with lung troubles. I would advise not doing anything outside and stay in if at all possible.”

He said a good strategy is to turn on central air, if available. Air purifier systems are also helpful.

Trinity Health reported that only one patient had come to the Emergency Trauma Center with symptoms related to the smoky conditions as of midafternoon on Wednesday.

Based on the sampling collected by the department’s Air Quality division, the smoke was most concentrated in the northwestern part of the state initially as the weather front brought it farther southeast as the day progressed. The National Weather Service in Bismarck reported that the smoke should begin diminishing beginning this morning and that drivers should be mindful of rapidly changing visibility.

Additional information and updates on current air quality conditions during a smoke event can be found by visiting fire.airnow.gov.