Catholic Charities distributes thousands of masks in Twin Cities amid widespread wildfire smoke

Catholic Charities Twin Cities distributed thousands of N95 masks to vulnerable residents this week as wildfire smoke from Minnesota and Canada reduced air quality in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.

The charity's Saint Paul Opportunity Center provided the masks along with water, meals, showers, and shelter from a heat wave. Elizabeth Heger, the vice president of emergency services at Catholic Charities, told MPR News that the organization increased its operations after air quality deteriorated rapidly.

The distribution follows an emergency declaration issued by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz due to spreading wildfires in the northern part of the state. Canadian government data indicates more than 120 out of control fires are burning in Canada, many of which are located in Ontario north of Minnesota.