MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for the northern half of the state Monday, citing smoke from several Canadian wildfires. According to the agency, the alert went into effect at 8 a.m. and goes through 1 a.m. Tuesday. MPCA said the alert primarily affects the communities of Brainerd, St. Cloud, Bemidji, International Falls, Roseau and the Mille Lacs, Leech Lake and Red Lake Tribal Nations.