Smoke eases, revealing blue skies across Cook County as air quality fluctuates

It looks and feels like summer again on the North Shore.

Over the past three days, air quality and smoke conditions have improved, producing blue skies and sunshine, a welcome sight for many.

Air quality conditions as of Tuesday range between good to moderate, according to the website AirNow.gov. Later in the afternoon on Tuesday, there is potential for increased smoke production, bringing air quality to the moderate range. Conditions on Wednesday are expected to be good.

Monitor air quality at AirNow.gov.

While current conditions have improved, smoke and air quality can change daily depending on wildfire activity and shifting winds.

“It could appear and disappear at times through the week depending on fire behavior,” said the National Weather Service in Duluth on Tuesday.

Last week, thick smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the Arrowhead region, bringing hazardous air quality conditions.

Several webcams provide live views of current conditions in Grand Marais, along the Gunflint Trail, and throughout Cook County.

View current conditions in Grand Marais on the Visit Cook County Harbor Cam below:

Farther inland, view current conditions at Gunflint Lodge and Seagull Canoe Outfitters towards the end of the Gunflint Trail and at Rockwood Lodge on Poplar Lake in the mid-trail area of the Gunflint Trail. Links below.

• Gunflint Lodge live web stream camera accessible here: https://gunflint.com/webcam-current-conditions-gunflint-lodge/
• Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters webcam, updated every 15 minutes, accessible here: https://www.rockwoodbwca.com/webcam/
• Seagull Canoe Outfitters webcam, updated every 10 minutes, here: https://www.seagulloutfitters.com/webcam/home.jpg

See a full list of other webcams throughout Cook County here: https://www.visitcookcounty.com/webcams/

Photos by Kalli Hawkins of conditions in Grand Marais and along the Gunflint Trail on Sunday and Monday are below:

Kalli Hawkins July 21, 2026