Chicagoans woke up to the smell and taste of thick smoke Thursday, an unpleasant start to the summer day.
Polluted air from Canadian wildfire smoke made it dangerous for anyone to be outside for long periods of time, government officials warned.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city closed its beaches and all 50 outdoor swimming pools. Evanston and other suburban beaches also were closed due to the air quality. 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 its 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. The agency said late Thursday it has extended its poor air quality warning through Friday.
Chicago’s Air Quality Index for Thursday ranged from very unhealthy to hazardous — the two most severe levels on the Air Quality Index.
How widespread is the smoke across Chicago?
A map of city air monitors shows an overwhelming portion of the city has air quality deemed “hazardous,” which means it is very dangerous to inhale. The rest of the city was deemed “very unhealthy.”
The map of almost 300 locations showed no community was safe from the bad air by Thursday night. Over the course of the day, many areas of the city initially recorded as very unhealthy were changed to hazardous.
The city monitors don’t track ozone, the other harmful type of pollution contributing to poor air quality Thursday.
Is the air unhealthy?
Yes. There were “hazardous” and “unhealthy” air quality alerts in Chicago.
Fires create fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, 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 between first and third for worst air pollution at different points Thursday, according to a Swiss company that sells air purifiers. Detroit, Minneapolis and New York also took turns in the top three cities.
How long will this last?
The government air quality alert currently runs through midnight Friday.
Is this likely to happen every summer?
Yes. This appears to be the new normal. In Chicago, we experienced similar conditions in 2023 when Canadian wildfires burned during a record year. Last year was also bad for Canadian fires; the city’s air ranked among the worst in the world in June of last year due to the smoke.
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 commonly worn 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
