Haze

21 photos · 2015–2023

21 photographs tagged Haze, 2015–2023.

Night photo of river and city skyline with a haze in Minneapolis — The Minneapolis skyline is veiled by smoke from Canadian wildfires, impacting regional air quality. The Mississippi River flows past the historic Stone Arch Bridge, a former railway bridge completed in 1883, now a pedestrian walkway. Adjacent to the bridge is the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, a 20th-century engineering project that regulates the river's flow and supports navigation, a function critical to Minneapolis since its establishment.

Bikers crossing bridge during air quality alerts in Minneapolis — Cyclists ride across the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under a sky obscured by smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Light rail train and hazy wildfire skies in Minneapolis — A Metro Transit Light Rail train bound for the Mall of America travels through Minneapolis under a sky choked with smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Man and bicyclist on a biking trail with wildfire smoke — The Midtown Greenway in South Minneapolis, a 5.7-mile paved urban trail, was developed on a former railroad corridor. It serves as a vital artery for cyclists and pedestrians, connecting diverse neighborhoods and providing a safe, car-free environment for recreation and commuting. On this day, wildfire smoke from Canada created a hazy atmosphere, impacting air quality and visibility for those using the trail for biking and jogging.

Night photo of Minneapolis skyline during air quality alerts — The Minneapolis city skyline is obscured by haze from Canadian wildfires, impacting air quality across the region. The "Gold Medal Flour" sign, a historic landmark dating back to the early 20th century, is visible through the atmospheric conditions. This event highlights the increasing frequency of such air quality alerts due to climate change and widespread wildfires. The city's downtown core, with its mix of modern skyscrapers and older structures, serves as the economic and cultural hub of Minnesota.

Barely visible downtown skyline due to wildfire — Wildfire smoke from Canada drifts into Minneapolis, significantly reducing visibility of the downtown skyline. The smoke, a result of widespread wildfires, impacted air quality across the region. The image also shows a water tower, a common feature in urban environments providing essential water storage and pressure for municipal systems.

Mississippi River in front of Downtown Minneapolis Skyline — The Minneapolis Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River is obscured by haze from Canadian wildfire smoke, impacting air quality in the downtown area. Constructed in the early 20th century, the lock and dam system was designed to improve navigation on the river, facilitating the transport of goods and materials. Today, it continues to play a role in managing water levels and supporting barge traffic, though its visual presence is altered by atmospheric conditions. The Stone Arch Bridge, a historic landmark, is visible in the background, further contextualizing the industrial and infrastructural history of Minneapolis.

2 bridges over the Mississippi River and city skyline — The I-35W Bridge and the 10th Avenue Bridge cross the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under a sky obscured by smoke from Canadian wildfires. This atmospheric condition, which led to air quality advisories, significantly reduced visibility across the city. The I-35W Bridge serves as a major north-south transportation route, while the 10th Avenue Bridge, with its distinctive arches, is a notable element of the city's infrastructure.

Volleyball during bad air quality. — Despite air quality warnings issued due to wildfire smoke, residents engaged in outdoor activities, including volleyball, near the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The elevated structure in the background is a railway bridge, a vital piece of transportation infrastructure that has served the city for decades. The presence of people enjoying the park highlights the resilience of community life even amidst environmental concerns.

Cars going down the street with bad air quality — Traffic moves along Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis under the E 28th Street bridge, obscured by smoke from Canadian wildfires. The dense haze significantly reduced visibility, impacting air quality across the city. This event highlighted the vulnerability of urban environments to distant environmental factors, affecting daily life and public health. The E 28th Street bridge is part of the infrastructure supporting transportation in Minneapolis, a city known for its extensive park system and commitment to urban planning.

Bikers cross road with hazy skies — Bicyclists navigate the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis under a sky obscured by smoke from Canadian wildfires. The Midtown Greenway is a 5.7-mile-long trail built on a former railroad corridor, serving as a vital piece of the city's active transportation network. This trail provides a safe and accessible route for cyclists and pedestrians, connecting various neighborhoods and parks across the city. The heavy haze, a result of widespread wildfires, significantly impacted air quality across the Midwest during the summer of 2023, highlighting the environmental challenges faced by urban areas.

Lake Street in Minneapolis shrouded in haze from Canadian wildfire smoke, with traffic and pedestrians visible. — Lake Street runs about seven miles through Minneapolis, from the Mississippi River east to France Avenue in St. Louis Park, and carries Metro Transit's Route 21 bus line. Smoke drifting south from Canadian wildfires blankets the street in haze on May 18, 2023.

University of Minnesota campus at dusk overlooking the Mississippi River with illuminated buildings and the Washington Avenue Bridge spanning the water. — The University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus lines both banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, divided between the East Bank and West Bank districts. Founded in 1851, it's the flagship campus of the university system and one of the largest in the country, enrolling more than 50,000 students. The Washington Avenue Bridge links the two campuses, carrying vehicle and pedestrian traffic along with a light-rail line across the river.

Cup Foods and George Floyd Memorial July 2021 — George Floyd Square in Minneapolis is seen under a haze of smoke from Canadian wildfires, which caused record-breaking air quality issues in Minnesota.

George Floyd Square and bad air quality — Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, known as George Floyd Square, is seen under a hazy sky caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires. This area became a focal point for protests and activism following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The "Free State of George Floyd" sign and barricades signify the community's assertion of autonomy and a memorial to Floyd.

Cyclists ride the Midtown Greenway bike trail in Minneapolis under haze from Canadian wildfire smoke. — The Midtown Greenway is a 5.5-mile bike and pedestrian corridor built along a former Milwaukee Road rail trench that cuts through south Minneapolis. Completed in phases through the early 2000s, it connects the Chain of Lakes to the Mississippi River and sees heavy year-round commuter and recreational traffic. In late July 2021, Canadian wildfire smoke drifted into the Twin Cities, pushing regional air quality into unhealthy ranges for several days. The trail's below-grade route runs past the Midtown Greenway Coalition's maintained corridor and remains one of the busiest bike commuter routes in the state.

Stone Arch Bridge and Gold Medal Flour sign in Mill Ruins Park, Minneapolis. — Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis preserves the remains of the Washburn “A” and Pillsbury “A” flour mills along the Mississippi River. The Stone Arch Bridge, completed in 1883 as a railroad crossing, now carries pedestrians and cyclists. The Gold Medal Flour sign marks the former milling district on the riverfront.

The Electric Fetus record store in Minneapolis, with the downtown skyline in the background. — The Electric Fetus record store in Minneapolis is a longtime independent music retailer in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. The store sits near downtown Minneapolis.

Interstate 35W in Minneapolis under smoke from Canadian wildfires, with downtown in the background. — Interstate 35W in Minneapolis carries traffic past downtown during smoke from Canadian wildfires. The freeway runs through the central city and connects north–south traffic through Minneapolis.

Downtown Minneapolis skyline obscured by wildfire smoke from Canadian fires. — Downtown Minneapolis is obscured by wildfire smoke from Canadian fires. The haze softens the city skyline and reduces visibility across the North Loop area.

Straight highway with yellow center line stretches through flat green fields near Wolford, North Dakota under hazy sky. — Wolford is a small city in Pierce County, North Dakota, in the north-central part of the state along Highway 17. The surrounding countryside is flat to gently rolling prairie, given over mostly to wheat, canola, and soybean farming, with scattered wetlands typical of the Prairie Pothole Region. Haze events like this one are common in the area during summer months, often tied to smoke drifting south from wildfires in Canada's boreal forest. Pierce County's population has declined steadily since peaking in the mid-20th century, leaving long stretches of two-lane highway like this one with little traffic.

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