Chicagoans woke up to the smell and taste of thick smoke Thursday morning, an unpleasant start to the summer day.
An air quality alert was in effect for most of the Chicago area Thursday due to wildfire smoke moving in from Canada.
Beaches in Evanston were closed due to the air quality and the Chicago Park District canceled all outdoor activities that couldn’t be moved inside.
Additionally, Chicago Public Schools moved all programming indoors as part of an extreme heat policy.
Here’s what else you need to know about how long the smoky air will stick around and what it means for your health.
Why is the air quality so bad today?
The drop in air quality is due to smoke from more than 800 Canadian wildfires burning – many out of control – and higher levels of unhealthy ozone pollutants.
The National Weather Service says some of the fires are close to the northern border of the United States. Wind patterns are pushing the smoke south and into the Chicago area.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared an Air Pollution Action Day for Chicago and Northern Illinois and individuals were urged to limit prolonged outdoor activity and take more frequent breaks.
Chicago’s Air Quality Index for Thursday ranged from very unhealthy to hazardous – the two most severe levels on the Air Quality Index.
Canadian wildfires cause of smoke across Chicago
Canadian wildfire smoke has had a lingering effect on the Chicago area’s air quality over the last three years, including last June when the city’s air ranked among the worst in the world due to the smoke.
A map of city air monitors shows a large swath of “very unhealthy” air quality covering most of the city with “hazardous” readings in northern neighborhoods Rogers Park, Edgewater, West Ridge and Lake View. Very unhealthy warnings stretch down to South Chicago and Hegewisch.
The map of almost 300 locations indicates the entire city has either “hazardous” or “very unhealthy” air Thursday.
The city monitors don’t track ozone, the other harmful type of pollution that’s contributing to poor air quality Thursday.
Is the air unhealthy?
Yes. There is an “unhealthy” air quality alert in Chicago.
Fires create fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, that can lodge deep into your lungs and travel through your blood once inhaled. These microscopic particles are particularly dangerous for people with asthma and other medical conditions or weak immune systems. They can lead to heart attacks and strokes after exposure for long periods.
Among the world’s largest cities, Chicago ranked third for worst air pollution Thursday behind Detroit and Minneapolis, according to a Swiss company that sells air purifiers.
How long will this last?
The government air quality alert currently runs through Thursday night.
The National Weather Service notes winds moving southwest could slightly improve air conditions Friday, but the air quality is still expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Is this likely to happen every summer?
Yes. This appears to be the new normal. In Chicago, we experienced similar conditions in 2023 when CanadianCanada wildfires burned during a record year. Last year was also bad for Canadian fires. We’re seeing earlier and more intense forest fires in Canada as climate change is producing warmer spring temperatures and dryness up north
Ozone has also long been a problem during summer months. Ozone pollution, often called smog, forms when car, truck and factory emissions interact with sunlight. Chicago has never been in compliance with federal law requirements for protection from ozone air pollution.
How can I protect myself?
Limit your exposure outside, especially if you have a respiratory or other health condition. An N95 mask, like those we wore during the COVID pandemic, can protect against the dangerous particle pollution. Pregnant women, children, teenagers and older adults are also at higher risk.
“I think everyone should close their doors and windows to try to prevent the smoke from getting into their homes as much as possible,” said Dr. Jack Zhao, a pulmonary critical care doctor at Rush Copley Medical Center. “I equate being outside with a forest fire to smoking. I think over time it will cause long-term side effects.”
Contributing: Haley Blomquist
